Mangaluru: The School of Commerce, Finance and Accountancy of St Aloysius (Deemed to be University) organised an Online Workshop on Intellectual Property Rights (IPR), Patents and Design Filing on February 4, 2026, at the AV Room, Arrupe Block, in collaboration with Rajiv Gandhi National Institute of Intellectual Property Management (RGNIIPM), Government of India. The programme was conducted under the National IP Awareness Mission (NIPAM), an initiative aimed at strengthening IPR awareness across academic institutions.

The workshop witnessed enthusiastic participation from around 200 students and faculty members, reflecting growing interest in innovation, research protection, and intellectual property management among the academic community.

Expert session on IPR fundamentals

The session was led by Kumar Raju, Assistant Controller of Patents and Designs, RGNIIPM, Nagpur. He offered a comprehensive overview of intellectual property rights, explaining key concepts such as patents, industrial designs, trademarks, geographical indications, copyright, and trade secrets. The resource person emphasised the strategic importance of IPR in safeguarding innovation and enhancing the commercial value of research outcomes.

Mr Raju highlighted common mistakes made by inventors and researchers, particularly the risks of disclosing innovations before securing legal protection. He underlined that timely filing of patents and design registrations is crucial to prevent loss of ownership and future disputes.

Encouraging innovation and patent awareness

The workshop also focused on procedural aspects of IPR filing, offering clarity on patentability criteria, documentation requirements, and examination processes. Participants were encouraged to view intellectual property not merely as a legal safeguard, but as a vital tool for entrepreneurship, start-ups, and academic research with societal impact.

The interactive nature of the session enabled participants to seek clarifications on real-world challenges related to patents and design protection. The programme successfully created awareness about career opportunities in the IPR ecosystem and motivated students to explore innovation-driven pathways.

About the resource person

Mr Kumar Raju has over 13 years of experience serving in the Central Government under the Patent Office, Ministry of Commerce and Industry. He is currently serving as Assistant Controller of Patents and Designs at RGNIIPM, Nagpur. An experienced IPR educator, he has delivered more than 300 lectures across the country and has examined and disposed of thousands of patent applications, including those involving reputed domestic and international applicants.
An alumnus of Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, he holds an MTech in Industrial Engineering and a Bachelor of Engineering from G. B. Pant Engineering College, Garhwal, Uttarakhand. He has also undergone specialised IPR examination training at the Japan Patent Office.

Conclusion

The online workshop marked a significant step in strengthening IPR literacy at St Aloysius University, reinforcing the institution’s commitment to fostering innovation, research excellence, and intellectual property awareness among students and faculty.