In recognition of the vital role that intellectual property (IP) plays in fostering and protecting growth and innovation, the Ateneo Law School (ALS) has partnered with the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL). The collaboration entails a targeted focus on ALS’s LLM-IP program, enabling law students to strengthen this applied knowledge and gain mastery of IP, which translates to more well-trained and qualified IP professionals in the country.
A ceremonial signing of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) was held on 28 May 2021.
“Putting the minds, hearts and efforts of our respective institutions then to keep in step and a step ahead of developments in intellectual property law practice and regulation is a truly worthwhile and timely matter,” said ALS Dean Jose Maria G. Hofileña. “ We look forward then to working hand in hand and shoulder to shoulder with the Intellectual Property Office for the expertise and commitment they bring in educating and exposing our students, in allowing creative thought and giving birth to knowledge and ideas, in forming lawyers responsible to their oaths.”
Screenshot during the MOA signing, Photo from IPOPHL website
Under the partnership, ALS will encourage students to take up IP-related topics for their research projects and support and promote IPOPHL learning, training, and research programs. ALS students will also have opportunities to undertake internships at IPOPHL.
For its part, IPOPHL will extend support to ALS as it gets accreditation for its LLM-IP program from the World IP Organization Academy. Joint training and other capacity-building programs for ALS and IPOPHL staff and professionals are also in the pipeline.
