HaUI organizes training workshop on patent protection in engineering, natural sciences and technology

As scientific research and innovation continue to gain momentum, intellectual property (IP) protection has become increasingly important in transforming research outcomes into valuable assets and facilitating technology transfer. To strengthen capacity in patent registration and protection, Hanoi University of Industry (HaUI) organized a training workshop on “Patent Protection in Engineering, Natural Sciences and Technology” for the lecturers, researchers, and learners.

An overview of the training session

In the opening remarks, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Trinh Trong Chuong, Head of the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation at HaUI, underscored the strategic importance of patent protection alongside the continuous enhancement of scientific research quality. Effective protection of inventions not only safeguards research outcomes as intellectual property assets but also creates a foundation for their application, commercialization, and technology transfer.

The number of patent applications filed by HaUI has increased in recent years; however, the proportion of applications resulting in the grant of protection titles remains approximately 30%. Against this backdrop, the training program was designed to enhance the capacity of lecturers and researchers in establishing intellectual property rights and preparing patent application dossiers. It also provided a forum for participants to engage with specialists and address practical challenges arising in the process of research, patent registration, and commercialization of research outcomes.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Trinh Trong Chuong, Head of the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation, delivers his opening remarks

Addressing the program, Mr. Trinh Ngoc Long, an expert from the Intellectual Property Office of Vietnam, emphasized that the preparation of complete and legally compliant patent application dossiers from the outset is essential to improving the prospects of obtaining patent protection and facilitating the efficient processing of applications. He further noted that, beyond compliance with applicable legal requirements, researchers should undertake a thorough assessment of the novelty, inventive step, and industrial applicability of a technical solution prior to filing a patent application. Such assessments are essential to determining the eligibility of an invention for patent protection and to strengthening the substantive basis of the application.

Mr. Trinh Ngoc Long, an expert from the Intellectual Property Office of Vietnam, delivers a presentation at the training program

The program comprised two principal thematic sessions. The first provided participants with a systematic overview of the intellectual property system, procedures for establishing patent rights, applicable legal provisions, and fundamental principles governing the registration and protection of inventions. The second session focused on practical aspects of patent information retrieval, assessment of the novelty of technical solutions, and the preparation of patent specifications in the fields of engineering, natural sciences, and technology. These topics were designed to provide participants with practical approaches to identifying prior art and developing patent documentation that meets relevant technical and legal requirements.

The Q&A session featured substantive discussions on patent protection, patent information retrieval, and the preparation of patent application dossiers

The Q&A session generated substantive exchanges on a range of issues encountered in research and patent registration, including the distinction between inventions and utility solutions, challenges associated with obtaining patent protection, and the patentability of technical solutions incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) and algorithms. The expert's insights provided lecturers and researchers with practical guidance for addressing these issues and enhancing the protection of research outcomes. Through the training program, HaUI lecturers, researchers, and learners further strengthened their knowledge and practical competencies in patent protection and the management and exploitation of intellectual property assets. The initiative represents a further step in HaUI's efforts to enhance the quality and impact of scientific research, promote innovation, and strengthen the application, commercialization, and transfer of research outcomes.