Western Visayas College of Science and Technology (WVCST) was recently chosen as one of the six (6) institutions in the country leading in innovation and technology or ITSO institution by the International Intellectual Property Institute (IIPI).
IIPI or International Intellectual Property Institute which is based in Washington D.C. is an organization that provides education and guidance about Intellectual Property (IP) rights to leaders and innovators in developing countries.
Hence, WVCST enjoys the support of IIPI on hands-on workshops, educational events and in depth research for the advancement of knowledge and skills on innovation and technology.
The other universities considered as ITSO Institutions are Bicol University, De la Salle University, Southeastern University, University of Sto.Tomas and University of San Carlos.
IIPI first visited the six institutions last April 2013 and last July 11 and 12, the team came back to the country specifically in Cebu City, to conduct the second phase of the training under the IIPI-USPTO Innovation Opportunities Program.
Topics discussed in the training were patent filing and marketing strategies, setting up an invention disclosure system, conducting invention analyses, analysis to patent protection and building industry alliance.
The experts from IIPI who conducted the training were Mr. Andrew Jaynes, Executive Director and General Counsel of IIPI; Dr. Richard Cahoon, President, Bio-Property Strategy Group Inc.; Dr. Stanley Kowalski, Professor of Law and Director of the International Technology Transfer Institute , University Of New Hampshire College of Law and Mr. Jason Nickla, Director of Intellectual Property, University of Nebraska Medical Center.
Dr. Carmelo Ambut, WVCST-VP for Research and Extension, who headed the group representing WVCST said that the training was a good avenue to come up with ideas on commercialization as well as technology transfer. The experience gave more knowledge and eventually will make us more matured especially on starting up business. According to him, considering that the trainors were Americans and somehow there are cultural differences, this can help us plan our own strategies and give us a picture on how to identify our future investors and how to deal with them which can make a great impact on our economy. Dr. Ambut who is not just speaking for what he forsees for the College said , “I am excited, not just for now but also for the future.”
The other participants from WVCST were Dr. Richard de Leon, Director Research Service Division; Engr. Naci John Trance, CEA Research Coordinator IPO; Ms. Lavinia Dulla, Statistician III, Ms. Andrea Pama, Science Research Assistant; Engr. Roger Balderas, CEA-Head, EE Dept.; Dr. Rolando Jacuman, CIT- Head Regular Evening DIT/MIT Program; Prof. Belinda Zamora, CAS Faculty and Prof. Rene Celda, CIT- Chairman, Electrical Technology Section.
The training will have a follow up on July 18 and 19 here in WVCST, wherein the experts specifically Dr. Richard Cahoon, will conduct a one on one tutorial that among our technologist in the College and ITSO links in the region.
