In a significant step toward fostering intellectual property (IP) education, WIPO Director General Daren Tang and Ms. Rena Lee, Chief Executive of the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) and Chairperson of IPOS International, signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on August 28, 2024. The agreement, formalized during IP Week 2024 in Singapore, aims to enhance IP capacities among businesses and professionals through WIPO Academy’s Executive Training Program.
This partnership represents a powerful alliance between two of the world’s leading IP institutions, underscoring their shared commitment to providing innovators with the skills necessary to thrive in the rapidly evolving global marketplace. The WIPO Academy and IPOS International are recognized for leadership in IP education and training. Together, they aim to provide professionals with real-world insights into how IP can transform ideas into marketable products and services.
Through this agreement, the WIPO Academy and IPOS International will collaborate to offer tailored IP training programs, focusing on both public and private sector needs. This joint effort will benefit participants from Singapore, the broader ASEAN region, and beyond, aligning closely with the Singapore IP Strategy 2030. This national initiative seeks to cultivate a highly skilled workforce capable of harnessing IP and intangible assets to drive innovation.
Daren Tang, WIPO’s Director General, highlighted the significance of this collaboration:
“Individually, the WIPO Academy and IPOS International are leaders in intellectual property education and training. Combined, we can offer powerful learning opportunities, grounded in real-world experiences, and with a clear focus on using IP to turn new ideas into tangible products and services.”
This partnership not only aims to deliver impactful IP education but also reinforces the role of IP in fostering economic growth and innovation. As industries across the globe become more reliant on intellectual assets, the need for professionals who understand how to leverage IP strategically has never been greater.
Strengthening Singapore’s Leadership in IP
Singapore, already a global leader in innovation, stands to benefit significantly from this partnership. The MOU solidifies Singapore’s position as a regional hub for IP education and further strengthens the country’s ability to shape global IP policies. Ms. Rena Lee emphasized the importance of this collaboration in maintaining Singapore’s competitive edge:
“This memorandum of understanding highlights our collective commitment to fostering a global environment where intellectual property is a cornerstone of innovation and progress. By collaborating with WIPO and its Academy, we ensure that Singapore remains at the cutting edge of IP education and practices.”
By combining efforts, WIPO and IPOS International aim to build a new generation of IP-savvy professionals, equipped to lead in a world where intellectual property is a key driver of innovation and economic development.
The partnership between WIPO and IPOS marks a milestone in global efforts to strengthen intellectual property education and innovation. With the support of the WIPO Academy’s Executive Training Program, Singapore and the broader ASEAN region will continue to develop the talent needed to lead the next wave of global innovation, ensuring IP remains a cornerstone of economic growth and progress.
