SICIP holds closing ceremony for IP students

Chen Qun, deputy mayor of Shanghai, speaks at the closing ceremony marking the completion of the first phase of WIPO-Tongji MIP and the B&R MIP. [Photo/tongji.edu.cn]

A closing ceremony marking the completion of the first phase of the WIPO-Tongji Master Degree Program in IP Law with Specialization in Design (WIPO-Tongji MIP) and the Belt and Road Master Degree Program in IP (B&R MIP) was held at Shanghai International College of Intellectual Property (SICIP) at Tongji University, on July 31.

The ceremony was attended by nearly 100 representatives including Chen Qun, deputy mayor of Shanghai; He Zhimin, deputy commissioner of the State Intellectual Property Office (SIPO); Chen Hongbing, director of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Office in China (WOC); Joseph Bradley, head of the Academic Institution Program at WIPO; Fang Shouen, Party secretary of Tongji University, as well as other scholars from foreign and domestic institutions and assorted officials.

On behalf of Shanghai Municipal Government, Chen Qun extended his congratulations on the students' successful completion of their first phase of study at Tongji SICIP, and extoled the achievements and efforts Tongji University had made in developing international IP legal professionals.

He Zhi, deputy commissioner of SIPO, delivers a speech at the closing ceremony. [Photo/tongji.edu.cn]

He stressed that it was of great significance for building Shanghai into a world-class technological and innovation center, as well as a center of intellectual property in the Asia-Pacific region.

Chen expressed his hopes that more work would be done by Tongji SICIP to develop professionals and disciplines, as well as to promote international cooperation. He also vowed that the municipal government would do what it could to support the development of the college.

On behalf of SIPO, He Zhimin extended his congratulations to the students for their successful completion of the first phase of their degree programs at Tongji SICIP.

He noted that SIPO was actively poised to promote ties with countries along the Belt and Road and engage itself in improving the two international IP programs taught at Tongji University.

"As the first batch of beneficiaries of the program, I hope that all of you will serve as ambassadors to promote friendship between China and the rest of the world, cherish the friendships you have built with your teachers and classmates, and continue to work hard in the future," said He.

Fang Shouen, Party secretary of Tongji University, speaks during the closing ceremony. [Photo/tongji.edu.cn]

Fang Shouen, on behalf of Tongji University, extended his congratulations to students as well as his thanks to those who had shown support for the development of Tongji SICIP. He said that unprecedented opportunities were being provided to develop China's IP industry and professionals in the context of China's emphasis on the importance of IP and Shanghai's initiative to build itself into a global hub for technology and innovation.

"With the support of WIPO, SIPO and Shanghai Municipal Government, Tongji will continue its efforts to build the SICIP into a high-level training base for IP professionals that meet international standards," said Fang.

Joseph Bradley, on behalf of WIPO, extended his thanks to teachers and students of SICIP. He praised the presentations students had made at the seminar marking their completion of the first phase of study at SICIP. He noted that the mission of WIPO was to develop IP higher education in developing countries, including in the world's least developed countries.

"The two master's degree programs at Tongji University will make a significant contribution to developing IP education and help WIPO reach the objective of IP capacity building," he said, "we will continue to enhance cooperation with SIPO, Shanghai Municipal Government and Tongji University."

Chen Hongbing highlighted the promising prospects of the Tongji-WIPO programs and expressed his desire for more support from Shanghai Municipal Government.

As a representative of Chinese students studying on the program, Yang Jing expressed her thanks to the WIPO-Tongji Program, saying that the program helped the students open their minds, embrace different cultures, and learn new skills and knowledge.

Students attending the closing ceremony listen to a speaker. [Photo/tongji.edu.cn]

Villarey Danilo III, who represented foreign students studying on the program, said that he would share the knowledge he had learned with others when he returned to his home country.

During the last part of the closing ceremony, the scholars and officials were invited to award certificates to students.

The SICIP of Tongji University was established on Nov 17, 2016, with the support of WIPO, SIPO and Shanghai Municipal Government. Currently, SICIP has two international programs, namely, WIPO-Tongji MIP and B&R MIP.

After the students of the two programs finish the first phase of their studies at Tongji University, foreign students will return to their home countries to work on their dissertations, which is the second phase of study for the two programs.

SICIP has established close partnerships with Max Planck Institute, the University of Munich and University of Florence with the aim of developing highly-qualified IP professionals with a wealth of knowledge and international vision.

Representatives and students attending the closing ceremony pose for a photograph. [Photo/tongji.edu.cn]