Deeksharambh: Induction of the First Cohort of the WIPO–NLUD–IPO Joint Masters/LL.M.

0001On 16 August 2024, the Centre for Innovation, Intellectual Property and Competition (CIIPC), National Law University Delhi, facilitated the Deeksharambh induction ceremony for the inaugural cohort of the WIPO-NLUD-IPO Joint Masters/LL.M. in Intellectual Property Law and Management Programme. The occasion was graced by the Hon’ble Vice-President of India, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar, marking a significant milestone in specialised intellectual property education in India.

Inauguration and Welcome

0002The ceremony commenced with the plantation of a sapling by the Hon’ble Vice-President, followed by the inauguration of the University's new amphitheatre, envisioned as a space for academic and cultural engagement. The incoming students were welcomed by Prof. (Dr.) G. S. Bajpai, Vice-Chancellor of NLU Delhi, Prof. (Dr.) Ruhi Paul, Registrar, and members of the University faculty.

0003The event was also attended by Smt. Himani Pande, Additional Secretary, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, and Prof. (Dr.) V. K. Ahuja, Director of the Indian Law Institute. Prof. (Dr.) Bajpai delivered the welcome address, encouraging the students as they embarked on their academic journey. The Hon’ble Vice-President subsequently addressed the cohort, offering encouragement and highlighting the importance of education, innovation, and intellectual property in national development.

Institutional Collaboration and the Tripartite MoU

0004The programme was established pursuant to a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding signed in October 2023 between NLU Delhi, WIPO, and CGPDTM under DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India. The MoU was signed by Prof. (Dr.) G. S. Bajpai, Vice-Chancellor of NLU Delhi; Mr. Daren Tang, Director General of WIPO; and Prof. (Dr.) Unnat P. Pandit, Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks.

0005The signing took place in the presence of Shri Piyush Goyal, Union Minister for Commerce and Industry; Shri Som Prakash, Minister of State for Commerce and Industry; and other officials from DPIIT and WIPO. The agreement established the institutional framework for launching the Joint Masters/LL.M. Programme from August 2024.

Significance

0006The Deeksharambh induction ceremony represented an important step in the development of globally oriented intellectual property education at NLU Delhi. By bringing together national institutions, an international organisation, government representatives, and academic experts, the initiative sought to strengthen IP education and build professional capacity across legal, technological, and business domains.

0007CIIPC's facilitation of the ceremony reflected its role in supporting the University's intellectual property initiatives and fostering academic engagement in this evolving field. The commencement of the inaugural cohort marked the beginning of a specialised academic journey aimed at preparing future professionals to address emerging challenges in intellectual property law and management.