IPR Cell Assam Agricultural University Jorhat
The Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Cell of AAU was set in May 2001. The main objective of the Cell initially was to sensitize the scientists about the different IPR and about avoidance of possible infringement. Now the Cell is actively involved in IP management and technology transfer activities.
For sensitization of the scientists, teachers, students and farmers the Cell has presented a number of seminars at different centers of AAU focusing mainly the IPRs relevant to agriculture. Besides AAU headquarters, College of Veterinary Science, Khanapara and BN College of Agriculture, seminars were presented at all the Regional Agricultural Research Stations and many Krishi Vigyan Kendras. The Cell organized Patent Awareness Workshop sponsored by Department of Science & Technology, Govt. of India on 30 May 2003; Workshop on IPR in Agriculture and Life Sciences sponsored by the Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Human Resource Development, Govt. of India on April 25, 2008; and three-day workshop sponsored by PPV&FR Authority in March 2013. Besides these, fourteen Training-cum-Awareness Programmes on Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights have been organized at different AAU centres. In order to create awareness about IPR among the students IPR concept has been included in under-graduate course syllabus on Principles of Seed Technology since 2002. A compulsory non-credit course has been introduced in all post-graduate Faculties from 2010. The IPR Cell has been facilitating and scrutinizing the patent applications referred by the controlling officers. Under the USAID sponsored Agricultural Innovation Partnership (AIP) programme, the IPR Cell is engaged in technology transfer activities in collaboration with the Sathguru Management Consultants, Hyderabad. Chicken pickle, fish pickle and dry fish preparation technologies have been transferred for commercialization.
Publications of the IPR Cell:
1. The Assam Agricultural University Guidelines for Intellectual Property Managementand Technology Transfer/ Commercialization (2012).2. Udbhid Jat aru Krishak Adhikar Suraksha (Protection of Plant Varieties & Farmers’Rights in Assamese) (2012)
3. Proceedings of the Regional Workshop on Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’Rights (2013).
In-charge of IPR Cell:
Dr. Purna Kanta Barua, Professor & Head, Department of Plant Breeding & Genetics, AAU Jorhat Email: purna.barua@yahoo.in, pkbarua@yahoo.co.uk