AIPO Joins IPOPHL in Empowering Students Through the 6th IP Boost Camp and IP Career Expo 2025

The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL), through its IP Academy, in partnership with the Ateneo Intellectual Property Office (AIPO) under its Protection and Education Group (PEG), successfully held the 6th IP Boost Camp  and  IP Career Expo 2025—two flagship initiatives designed to empower students to explore meaningful career paths in the intellectual property (IP) field.

Image: Participants and organizers pose for a group photo during the IP Boast Camp 2025

The IP Boost Camp gathered undergraduate and law students from various universities for a five-day immersive training held on July 16, 17, 18, and 21, 2025, with the final day moved to August 15, 2025, due to adverse weather conditions. Despite the rescheduling, participants returned with enthusiasm—embodying their batch name, Masikhay, which stands for energy, creativity, and resilience.

Throughout the week, participants were introduced to the fundamentals of intellectual property including trademarks, patents, industrial designs, copyright, and their related rights, IP commercialization, IP licensing, and IP enforcement. These sessions were complemented by workshops, innovation tours, and group activities that helped participants apply classroom concepts to real-world scenarios.

Image: The participants designing their bag prototypes, collaborating in groups, and presenting their final outputs for the Patent Mini Challenge (Bag Design Challenge)

One of the camp’s most engaging highlights was the Patent Mini Challenge: Bag Design Challenge. In this activity, students designed their own innovative bag concepts, identified their novel features, and determined how these could be protected through patents, utility models, or industrial designs. The challenge encouraged creativity while reinforcing key lessons on patentability and prior art search.

Following the camp, the IP Career Expo was successfully conducted on November 27, 2025, at Ateneo de Manila University. The event provided a dynamic platform for students to explore IP-related career opportunities and interact with professionals from the field. Around 10 IP law firms showcased their work and engaged with students, offering firsthand insights into careers in IP law, technology transfer, corporate IP management, and innovation services.

Image: The organizers, exhibitors, and guests during the ribbon-cutting ceremony that marked the official opening of the IP Career Expo, followed by the panel discussion featuring speakers from IPOPHL, private practice, and Ms Vanessa Malapit, Head of the Protection and Education Group (PEG) of AIPO. The images also highlight talks from various IP law firm representatives who introduced students to the diverse career pathways within the IP field.

A key highlight of the expo was the panel discussion featuring speakers from both IPOPHL and private practice. The panelists included Atty Mariel Claire Gonzales, Attorney III from the Bureau of Legal Affairs at IPOPHL; Ms Clara Patricia Vizconde, IPRS III of the Enforcement Division at IPOPHL; Atty Daniel Hofilena, Partner at Kalaw Prasad & Hofileña Law; and Ms Vanessa Malapit, Head of the Protection and Education Group (PEG) of the  Ateneo Intellectual Property Office (AIPO). The panelists shared their experiences and practical advice on pursuing a career in the IP field, giving students a clearer picture of the growing relevance of intellectual property in today’s innovation-driven world.

Despite the schedule adjustments brought about by the adverse weather conditions, both the IP Boost Camp and the IP Career Expo were highly successful, demonstrating the strong collaboration between IPOPHL and AIPO. These initiatives reaffirm their shared commitment to nurturing undergrad and law students who aspire to contribute to the country’s innovation and creative ecosystem.

Batch Masikhay now joins a growing community of young IP advocates—empowered, inspired, and ready to help build a more innovative and IP-driven Philippines.

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If you are keen on participating in upcoming IP-related activities or have questions about IP in general, please don't hesitate to email us at To learn more about our office and our services, you may visit our website at https://aipo.ateneo.edu. You may also check out our Facebook and LinkedIn pages for the latest updates and announcements.

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