The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) has partnered with the Ateneo de Manila University School of Law (ALS) with the aim of creating more intellectual property (IP) professionals through the latter’s Master of Laws (LLM) on IP, an offering to be promoted as a world-class program for learning the IP legal landscape.
The partnership was inked through a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed by IPOPHL Director General Rowel S. Barba and ALS Dean Jose Maria G. Hofileña on May 28, 2021.
“We all know that ALS not only offers students the tools and opportunity to develop their full potential and broaden their horizons. But more admirably, the institution is effective in challenging the next generation to drive development in society,” Barba said at the virtual signing.
“This is why it is such a privilege to join hands today with the ALS and secure its commitment to help IPOPHL in its mandate of promoting IP as a tool for technological progress and economic growth,” the IPOPHL chief added.
Under the MOU, both parties will collaborate in ensuring ALS’ LLM-IP program and other pertinent professional programs maintain an international standard of knowledge and skills relevant to global and local IP laws and trends, in turn, generating more IP practitioners of high caliber skills.
Specifically, IPOPHL will support ALS to have its LLM-IP program accredited by the World IP Organization (WIPO) Academy. Such recognition from the WIPO Academy will help ALS attract more budding IP professionals from around the world.
Moreover, IPOPHL will promote ALS’ LLM-IP program to its own partners in government, academe, and professional communities. The Office will also explore possibilities of upskilling some of its qualified personnel through this program.
For its part, the ALS will encourage its students to undertake their internship at IPOPHL; promote IP as a major topic for research projects, including thesis papers; support and promote IPOPHL’s learning, training and research programs; and promote IPOPHL as a major partner in the LLM-IP program.
ALS will also explore the possibility of providing assistance and support, such as scholarships or grants, to widen the student base of its LLM-IP.
Moreover, both parties will strive to explore other areas of cooperation to more effectively promote IP awareness and education in the country and pursue other projects toward this goal.
“We look forward to working hand in hand and shoulder to shoulder with IPOPHL for the expertise and commitment they bring in educating and exposing our students, in allowing creative thought and giving birth to knowledge and ideas, in forming lawyers responsible to their oaths,” ALS’ Hofileña said.
He added that the signing is made more timely as it coincides with ALS’ 85th year anniversary, “a wonderful way to give life to the conviction of the Ateneo Law School—committed to since its inception 85 years ago—to dedicate itself to championing the rule of law and the greater glory of God.”