YASUDA, Director-General of the Trial and Appeal Department of the JPO expresses active cooperation with Africa at "the Masters in Intellectual Property (MIP) Programme at Africa University Alumni Event

On December 7-8, the Africa University MIP Program Alumni Event was held in Harare, Zimbabwe, for graduates of the Master's Degree in Intellectual Property (MIP) program at Africa University, and Mr. YASUDA attended the event.

The Japanese government has been providing scholarships to some of the students participating in the MIP program at Africa University since 2008 through the Funds-in-Trust Japan Industrial Property Global, a voluntary contribution made by the JPO to the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) to foster future leaders who will be responsible for national economic and science and technology policies from the aspect of intellectual property.

This event was co-hosted by WIPO, the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO)^*1, Africa University, and the Japan Patent Office, with the aim of upgrading graduates' knowledge of intellectual property and supporting the development of human networks.

In his opening remarks, Mr. YASUDA stated that Japan is a "partner that grows together" with Africa and that Japan will actively engage in cooperation with Africa from the aspect of intellectual property. In addition, he expressed his hope that the graduates will utilize the knowledge and network they have gained through this event, between their countries and Japan and any other countries, and become active businesspeople who connect their home countries with Japan and other countries.

The JPO will continue to promote cooperation with Africa to create an environment where intellectual property of Japanese companies can be quickly and smoothly secured and properly protected in Africa.

(*1) ARIPO: Regional Intellectual Property Office with 22 mainly English-speaking countries in Africa

Opening Remarks by Mr. YASUDA, Director-General of the Trial and Appeal Department

the Masters in Intellectual Property (MIP) Programme at Africa University Alumni Event

[Last updated 22 December 2022]