“It is essential to integrate innovation and intellectual property content into the curriculum, allowing students to develop creative thinking and learn how to utilize ideas for tangible economic benefits.”
Those are among the IP goals stated last week by the Intellectual Property Office of Vietnam, under the Ministry of Science and Technology, which held a workshop to share experiences about IP education for high school students.
“Gaining an early understanding of intellectual property helps young people nurture creativity, develop ideas, and even generate income from their innovative work,” they said.
The Head of Online Training at the WIPO Academy, who contributed to the workshop, stated that intellectual property is not just a right or protection mechanism but also an aspect of creativity.
“Today, physical assets like land or production facilities no longer dominate daily life. What we consume or enjoy – entertainment works, consumer products, or medical treatments – are intangible assets, transformed from ideas into products,” the educator said.
A Good Companion
Innovation is the backbone of progress, while intellectual property is the best companion for innovation, a workshop participant stated.
“Gaining an early understanding of intellectual property helps young people nurture creativity, develop ideas, and even generate income from their innovative work.”
Understanding intellectual property is not just about protection but also a strategy to monetize knowledge and ideas. “It enables people to earn a living from their creativity and professional work.”
During the workshop, Luu Hoang Long, Director General of the Intellectual Property Office of Vietnam, stated that with the trend of international economic integration, intellectual property increasingly proves its importance in promoting innovation, advancing technology, and enhancing national competitiveness.
“To develop a sustainable and coherent national intellectual property system, it is crucial to educate young [people], especially high school students, about intellectual property,” said the Director General.
A Willingness to Learn
A survey conducted by the Intellectual Property Office among 800 students from various schools revealed that most primary school students (74%) and secondary school students (87%) had never been introduced to IP knowledge. However, the majority expressed a willingness to learn about it.
Image source: vietnamnet.vn; Photo: Minh Son
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