Expanding IP Awareness Across Industries: AIPO Participates as Guest Speaker in QC’s QCertified Program

The Ateneo Intellectual Property Office (AIPO) was honored to serve as a guest speaker for an online Intellectual Property (IP) Awareness Session under the QCertified Roadmap Program. Held on April 10, 2026, from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM via Zoom, the session gathered around 60 participants from micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) across diverse sectors, including food, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. Participants were eager to understand how IP protection can support innovation, strengthen branding, and enhance business growth.

Organized by the Department of Science and Technology–National Capital Region (DOST-NCR) in partnership with the Quezon City Small Business and Cooperatives Development and Promotions Office (QC-SBCDPO), the QCertified Roadmap Program continues to empower MSMEs by equipping them with the necessary tools to meet regulatory standards and improve their market readiness. The inclusion of multiple industries in this session reflects the program’s commitment to providing inclusive and sector-wide support.

Image: Screenshot of participants attending the session via Zoom

Representing AIPO were Ms Vanessa Malapit, MSc, Head of the Protection and Education Group, and Engr Benjamin Mirasol, Head of the Commercialization and Business Incubation Group (CBIG). Ms Malapit led the discussion on the fundamentals of intellectual property, covering patents, utility models, industrial designs, trade secrets, trademarks, and copyrights. She highlighted the importance of protecting business names, product formulations, packaging designs, and other creative assets, especially for MSMEs operating in competitive industries such as food and pharmaceuticals.

Image: Ms. Vanessa Malapit delivering her presentation on IP fundamentals during the Zoom session.

Engr Mirasol complemented the discussion by sharing practical strategies on how businesses can leverage their IP assets. He presented examples of how MSMEs can use IP to build brand credibility, attract investors and partners, and sustain long-term competitiveness. He also emphasized the critical role of MSMEs as key drivers of innovation and economic development.

Image: Engr. Benjamin Mirasol discussing how MSMEs can maximize their IP assets for business growth

The AIPO team extends its sincere appreciation to DOST-NCR and QC-SBCDPO for the opportunity to contribute to this initiative. Through continued collaboration, AIPO remains committed to promoting accessible IP education and supporting Filipino entrepreneurs across various industries.

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For more IP-related sessions like this, you may visit www.aipo.ateneo.edu or email them at aipo@ateneo.edu. You may also check out their Facebook and LinkedIn pages for the latest updates and announcements.

To learn more about the programs and services offered by DOST-NCR and its partners, including the Quezon City Small Business and Cooperatives Development and Promotions Office (QC-SBCDPO), you may visit https://ncr.dost.gov.ph or follow QC-SBCDPO’s official Facebook page at facebook.com/QCSBCDPO.