Two Day National Workshop on “Intellectual Property Rights” organized by University Business Incubation Centre sponsored by DC (MSME), M/O MSME, GOI under the scheme building awareness on Intellectual Property Rights for Micro, Small & Medium Enterprise (MSME) under National Manufacturing Competitiveness Programme (NMCP) commenced at Central University of Jammu.  The workshop was inaugurated by Prof Ashok Aima, Vice Chancellor, Central University of Jammu. During the inaugural session of the workshop, Prof. Ashok Alma, Vice Chancellor, Central University of Jammu, Patron of the workshop, flagged certain pertinent issues regarding the role of universities as a Centre of higher learning. He emphasised the need to integrate technology, knowledge and further develop intellect in the University systems such that the students should start focusing on self employed ventures. He also stressed upon entrepreneurship as a predictable, relevant outcome of the Universities that benefits the society and the country at large. Further, he informed that UBIC has initiated the Innovation, Incubation and Entrepreneurship lecture series to sensitize the students to become job creators rather than job seekers. He also informed that a cash award of Rs. 25,000 is being given to best innovative idea submitted to UBIC. He further informed that Ministry of Skill Development and Tourism has empanelled Dr. Jaya Bhasin and Dr. Shahid Mushtaq for conducting entrepreneurship and innovation related activities.

On this occasion Mr. B. P Singh, Dy. Controller of Patents and Designs, GOI was Guest of Honor. Prof. D.N Jauhar, Former Vice Chancellor, Agra University presented keynote address. Prof. D.N Jauhar, an eminent educationist and pioneer in IPR education in the country sensitized the participants about the importance of IP and commercial advantages of innovation & IP through success stories and case studies.

The first technical session was conducted by Mr. B.P Singh, Deputy Controller of Patents and Designs, spoke about importance of Innovation & Intellectual Property for MSME's. In his second session he spoke on the procedure for registering IP. Mr. K Pradeep, Managing Director, Provido Vidhi, delivered sessions on the topics enforcement of IP rights. The sessions were well received by participants followed by enthusiastic question and answer session.

Earlier during the day, Dr. Jaya Bhasin, Chairperson, University Business Incubation Centre (UBIC) in her welcome address appraised the audience about the University Business Incubation Centre and its activities. She mentioned that UBIC functions under the aegis of Innovation, Incubation and Entrepreneurship Council of Central University of Jammu also, UBIC has signed an MOU with Ashray Incubator for providing financial and other technical support. for incubates of UBIC, CUJ. The workshop has been designed and conducted as a means of creating Intellectual Property awareness amongst the various stakeholders' viz. representatives of local industries, Students/ Faculty/ Researchers/ Entrepreneurs'/ R&D personnel etc under the aegis of UBIC. She further informed that the workshop is being attended by the participants from all across the state.

Dr. Pankaj Mehta presented formal vote of thanks. The event is coordinated by UBIC Project Coordinators Dr. Shahid Mushtaq, Dr. Pankaj Mehta and UBIC members viz., Dr. Neelika Arora, Anjali Pathania, Gowhar Rasool, Asif Ali, Ranjeet Kumar Raman, Varun Abrol, Rahul Thakur, Dr. Ramana Dodi , Dr. Pawan, Dr. Poonam, Mr. Rabinder Singh and Manjeet Singh. Dr. Neelika Arora was the master of ceremony.