LAHORE – The Office of Research, Innovation and Commercialization (ORIC) of the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences Lahore in collaboration with Punjab Agriculture Research Board (PARB) recently organised a “2-day National Workshop on Intellectual Property Protection for the Inventions Related to Agriculture and Animal Sciences”.
Punjab Higher Education Commission Lahore Chairperson Prof Dr Mohammad Nizam-ud-Din presided over the inaugural session of the training workshop while Vice-Chancellor Meritorious Prof Dr Talat Naseer Pasha, Pro Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Nasim Ahmad, Director Intellectual Property Organization Muhammad Ilyas Bhatti and a number of participants from public & private organizations all over Pakistan attended.
Speaking on the occasion, Prof Nizam-ud-Din said that it is direly needed to focus on agriculture and technology research and patent documentation is required in innovation research especially in the development of livestock and agriculture. He also lauded UVAS leadership for organizing such an informative and constructive workshop for the capacity building of professionals.
Prof Dr Talat Naseer Pasha spoke about the academic, research, development, extension programmes, development projects including Livestock Technology Park, Training Centre for Biologics Production, Export Facilitation Centre for Livestock & Poultry Industry and Development of Camel Milk Value Chain by adopting modern supply chain mechanism for enhancing farmers profitability in Punjab. He also listed various training programmes, clinical & disease diagnostic facilities and services for the benefit of poor farming community on their doorstep. He said UVAS is positioned among top 10 universities of Pakistan because of its quality of education and research. He said that UVAS was focusing on research and closely working with livestock, poultry and dairy industry to solve their issues by using its trained manpower. He said that UVAS scientists/faculty members are executing research projects of about Rs 1,100 million won from national & international funding agencies. He also acknowledged the steps taken by the Punjab government, especially ban on soda drinks in all educational institutions of Punjab.
Ilyas Bhatti said that intellectual property is one of the major factors of economic development. He said modern era progress and prosperity of business and market mostly depends upon intangible assets. The countries which manage their intellectual assets properly obtain prominent stature among the nation, he added.
The objectives of the workshop are to create awareness among agriculture, livestock and fisheries sectors researchers about the potential and necessity of innovation, stimulate applied research to enhance productivity of livestock and agriculture sectors, to foster closer linkages between ORICs of various public and private sector universities and government departments responsible for research and development in agriculture and fisheries. It is also aimed at imparting hands-on training of officials of ORIC and researcher in actual patent application filing.
