Aligarh: Three-day National Workshop and Skill development training on Intellectual Property Rights was organized by the Department of Botany, AMU concluded with a valedictory function yesterday. The Chief Guest on the occasion Prof Malik Mohammad Azharuddin, Department of Cardiology, JNMC appreciated the organizers for a fruitful workshop. He applauded the efforts of Prof Shamsul Hayat, Prof Qazi Fariduddin, and Engineer Shamshad Ali and shared the importance of the IPR cell in the University and encouraged students and faculty members to initiate product-oriented research.

Offering his full support and guidance in filing patents to students and faculty members and he emphasised on the potential of IPR in making an institute self-sufficient.

Guest of honour, Director of Rajiv Gandhi, Diabetes Centre, Dr Hamid Ashraf congratulated the organizing secretary for conceiving and organizing such a critical and timely workshop and training program on IPR, and emphasised that patents are important not only in plant science but in all other fields of studies including medicine. He added, having patents for medicinal products is very important as this reduces the misuse of ideas, knowledge, and other aspects of the IPR.

Chairman, Department of Botany, Prof. M Badruzamman Siddiqui in his concluding remarks emphasized the role of IPR not only in plant sciences but in every field of study. He also announced the tentative dates of the National Conference to be held Nov-Dec, 2023.

In the valedictory sessions, several participants shared their views about the workshop. Dr Jitendra Kumar, Assistant Professor, Department of Forensic Medicine, JNMC, said that IPR-themed workshops, seminars, and conferences should be conducted in every department of the university to motivate the students, and faculty members about the filing, and drafting of patents and so that the revenues could be generated by commercialising such patents.

Prof Shamsul Hayat extended the vote of thanks and summarized the essential points of the three days workshop. He also thanked all the sponsors, speakers, anchors, faculty members, research scholars, students, and nonteaching and technical staff for making this workshop a grand success.