PUP Joins ITSO Network
Publications Office, Information Broadcast, PUP Sta. MesaToday, with countries eager to compete with the rest of the world or to at least be at par with everyone else in terms of innovation and technology, it has come as no surprise when the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPhl) decided to establish the Innovation and Technology Support Offices (ITSO), otherwise known as “Patent Libraries” or “PatLibs,” within the top universities of the country. These ITSOs have the capability to search patents worldwide and pass on the information to different industries.
On March 22-23, 2012, the PUP-ITSO and 30 other member universities and nonacademic institutions, were formally launched during the High-Level Forum on Access to Technology Innovation at the Manila Peninsula Hotel in Makati City. The event, which gathered IP stakeholders from the government, business, and civil society, started with a series of dialogues to intensify academe-industry collaborations and explore practical strategies in fostering innovations through access to technological information.
Dr. Francis Gurry, director general of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), led the roster of keynote speakers together with Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Mario G. Montejo and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Gregory L. Domingo.
One of the highlights of the forum was the launching of the ITSO or “Patent Libraries” Franchise. PUP-ITSO Manager and Vice President for Research, Extension, and Development, Dr. Pastor B. Malaborbor, and PUP-ITSO Technical Staff Members, Engr. Faustino Rural and Prof. Ofelia Villamor, accepted the ITSO glass emblem, which certifies the university’s ITSO membership. Glass emblems were also given to the other member universities and nonacademic institutions.
In preparation for the launching, the ITSO members had to complete a series of preconference learning sessions conducted by experts from IPOPhl as well as consultants from the WIPO Academy - Technology and Innovation Support Center (TISC).
