AIPO Participates in the 2026 WIPO-IPOPHL Summer School on Intellectual Property in Emerging Economies

The Ateneo Intellectual Property Office (AIPO) participated in the 2026 WIPO-IPOPHL Summer School on Intellectual Property in Emerging Economies, held from July 20 to 31, 2026. Organized by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in cooperation with the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL), the program brought together participants from different sectors, professions, institutions, and countries.

Image: Group photo of the participants and organizers of the 2026 WIPO-IPOPHL Summer School on Intellectual Property in Emerging Economies. (Photo sourced from the official IPOPHL Facebook page.)

Representing AIPO was Research Officer Charity B. Maquiling, who joined the two-week program, which included online learning, on-site sessions, lectures, discussions, and group activities.

The first week was conducted online, followed by a second week of face-to-face sessions at De La Salle University, where participants engaged with resource speakers and fellow participants through discussions and collaborative activities. The hybrid format allowed participants to build their knowledge while also providing opportunities for face-to-face exchange and collaboration

A key takeaway from the program was that IP goes beyond protection. Discussions on commercialization and technology transfer highlighted how intellectual property can help transform research and innovation into meaningful economic and social impact.

Image: Research presentation and Q&A session at the 2026 WIPO-IPOPHL Summer School on Intellectual Property in Emerging Economies.

The program culminated in a group mini research project and final presentation, where participants applied the concepts and insights gained throughout the Summer School to a current IP-related development issue. The activity encouraged collaboration, critical thinking, and the development of practical recommendations involving different stakeholders.

For AIPO, the Summer School provided valuable insights that can contribute to its continuing work in IP protection, education, technology transfer, and commercialization, while strengthening connections with the wider IP and innovation community.

Image: From left to right: Atty. Ginalyn M. Sacmar-Badiola, Supervising Director of the IP Academy, IPOPHL, and Ms. Charity B. Maquiling, AIPO Research Officer, during the awarding ceremony of the 2026 WIPO-IPOPHL Summer School.

The program concluded on July 31 with the presentation of the participants’ final research outputs and a closing ceremony. The experience reinforced the importance of continuous learning, collaboration, and effective IP management in helping innovations move from research and ideas toward meaningful impact.

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