ULAB Faculty members participated in the HP4ITT Training
Two faculty members of the University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB) in collaboration with Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL) participated in a three-day intensive training program titled “Harnessing Patents for Innovation and Technology Transfer (HP4ITT): From Ideas to Impact” with the aim of strengthening patent literacy, innovation capacity, and technology transfer practices in Bangladesh’s higher education and research ecosystem. The training was organized by BRAC University from 4 to 6 December in Dhaka.
The training brought together university faculty members, researchers, postgraduate students, innovation managers, and startup founders, focusing on the strategic role of patents in transforming research ideas into tangible societal and commercial impact. The program addressed the growing importance of intellectual property (IP) in enhancing research visibility, attracting investment, and fostering university–industry collaboration.
The training covered foundations of intellectual property and patent systems, highlighting national and international frameworks such as WIPO, TRIPS, PCT, and the role of the Department of Patents, Designs and Trademarks (DPDT) in Bangladesh. It also had comprehensive modules on patentability criteria, drafting techniques, and filing procedures, offering hands-on experience through mock patent applications and peer reviews. Another key segment focused on patent management and commercialization, including licensing models, revenue generation, and the role of Technology Transfer Offices (TTOs), supported by international case studies.
Participants- Ms Iram Mehrin from Center for Languages Studies (CLS) and Coordinator of Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL) and Ms Jannatul Ferdous Ruma from Computer Science and Engineering (CSE)- gathered knowledge on patent search and analysis using global databases such as Google Patents, WIPO Patentscope, and Espacenet, enabling them to conduct prior-art searches and analyze global technology trends.
The training adopted an interactive and experiential learning approach, combining lectures, group discussions, simulations, case studies, and workshops. Participants expressed strong appreciation for the practical orientation of the sessions and emphasized the relevance of the training in enhancing research commercialization and innovation-driven growth.
