Two–day national workshop on Intellectual Property Rights: Implementation and Enforcement organised by the University Business Incubation Centre commenced at the Central University of Jammu. The workshop was formally inaugurated by Prof. Ashok Aima, Vice Chancellor, Central University of Jammu. This two-day workshop is sponsored by DEITY, Ministry of Communications and IT, Government of India under Intellectual Property Rights Awareness Programme in E&IT Sector. The workshop has been designed and conducted as a means of creating intellectual Property awareness amongst the various stakeholders Viz. Students/ Faculty / Researchers/ Entrepreneurs’/ R&D personnel etc. The workshop is being attended by the participants from all across the State.

During the inaugural session of the workshop, Prof. Ashok Aima, Vice Chancellor, Central University of Jammu, Chief 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 Universities act as an interface between job seeker and job provider. He also stressed upon entrepreneurship as a predictable, relevant outcome of the Universities that benefits the society and the country at large. To encourage entrepreneurial spirit in the University and in the region at large, the Vice Chancellor has already announced a cash award of Rs. 25000/ to the business proposal/idea submitted for incubation that will be adjudged as the best by competent committee. Cash award of Rs. 25000/ is also announced for the female entrepreneur of the region whose proposal shall culminate into a successful venture.
The first technical session of the workshop was conducted by Prof. S. K Jain, Vice Chancellor, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, an eminent educationist and a pioneer in IPR education in the country. Prof. Jain delved upon the Concepts, Advantages and Importance of IP, IP as a tool to increase business, competitiveness. He sensitized the participants about the importance of IP and the commercial advantages of Innovation & IP through success stories and case studies.

Later, Mr. K Pradeep, Managing Director, Provido Vidhi, delivered two sessions on the topics IP registration procedure and enforcement of IP rights. .The sessions were well received by the participants followed by enthusiastic question & answer session.
Earlier during the day, Dr. Jaya Bhasin, Chairperson, University Business Incubation Centre (UBIC) apprised the audience about the University Business Incubation Centre and its activities. UBIC functions under the aegis of Innovation, Incubation and Entrepreneurship Council of Central University of Jammu, headed by Prof. Deepak Raj Gupta. The council has signed an MOU with Ashray Incubator on 18th November 2015, for providing financial and other technical support for incubates of UBIC, CUJ. It is further in the process of signing an MOU with NASCOM, which would provide assistance under ten thousand start-ups in the country in IT sector.
Prof. Lokesh Verma, Academic Coordinator, welcomed the august gathering during the inaugural session of the workshop whereas Dr. Pankaj Mehta, presented a formal vote of thanks.
The advisory committee of the workshop includes Prof. Lokesh Verma, Dr. Rashid Sayeed, CEO, Ashray incubator, Ahemdabad, Mr. Vikrant Kuthiala, PHD, Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Ms. Ankita from DEITY and Mr. K.K Goyal, Assistant Director, MSME , New Delhi eminent personalities having pioneering contributions in the field. The event is coordinated by UBIC members viz. Anjali Pathania, Gowhar Rasool, Asif Ali, Gaurav Seghal, Dr. Shahid Mushtaq, Dr. Neelika Arora, Ranjeet Kumar Raman and Pankaj Mehta.