To mark World Intellectual Property Day, University of Technology Holds Scientific Seminar and an Innovation Exhibition

Under the slogan “Intellectual Property: Innovation Power Towards a Sustainable Future,” the University of Technology, in cooperation with the Central Organization for Standardization and Quality Control, held a scientific seminar and an innovation exhibition on the occasion of World Intellectual Property Day 2025. The seminar was attended by the President of the University of Technology, Professor Dr. Mohsen Nouri Hamza, the Assistant President of the University for Scientific Affairs and Graduate Studies, Professor Dr. Khawla Salah Khashan, and a number of deans of colleges and university faculty.

The seminar began with the national anthem, followed by a fragrant recitation from the Holy Quran and the recitation of Surah Al-Fatiha in remembrance of the souls of Iraq’s martyrs. Then, the President of the University of Technology delivered a welcoming speech on the occasion of World Intellectual Property Day for the year 2025, stating that while celebrating creativity and innovation, “we emphasize the importance of protecting ideas that contribute to building our present.” Dr. Hamza pointed out that “the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) launched this event in 2000 with the aim of raising awareness of how patents, copyrights, trademarks, and designs affect daily life, and to celebrate the creativity and contribution of creators and innovators in the development and advancement of economies and societies around the world.” He added that the selection of April 27th as World Intellectual Property Day “coincides with the date of entry into force of the agreement establishing the World Intellectual Property Organization in 1970, and World Intellectual Property Day is considered the largest public awareness campaign on intellectual property.” The University President further stated that “at our university, more than 300 patents have been registered in various scientific, engineering, and medical fields, which reflects the efforts made by our scientists to serve humanity and develop innovative solutions to the challenges of the age.”

Following the University President’s speech, Dr. Eng. Fayadh Muhammad Abd, Head of the Central Organization for Standardization and Quality Control, delivered a televised speech in which he emphasized the importance of World Intellectual Property Day. He also touched upon the work of the Central Organization for Standardization and Quality Control, the tasks it undertakes, most notably the registration and protection of patents, and mediating between Iraqi inventors and external entities that register patents.

After that, Dr. Muhammad Jamal Nasser presented a detailed lecture on the history of intellectual property in the world and Iraq. He spoke about the establishment of the Industrial Property Department in Iraq in 1960 within the departments affiliated with the Ministry of Economy (currently the Ministry of Trade). He elaborated on the agreements and treaties that Iraq has acceded to, including the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) based on a treaty administered by WIPO.

The lecture witnessed interaction from the attendees, prompting the President of the University of Technology and some deans of colleges to offer detailed comments on the information presented by the lecturer. In the context of these comments, a verbal agreement was reached between the University of Technology and the representative of the Central Organization for Standardization and Quality Control on future cooperation in various fields, including the registration of patents and facilitating the tasks undertaken by the university in encouragement of its researchers.

Subsequently, the President of the University of Technology honored Dr. Muhammad Jamal Nasser with a certificate of appreciation in recognition of his valuable efforts.

Completing the event, the President of the University of Technology, his scientific assistant, the Dean of the College of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, and representatives of the Central Organization for Standardization and Quality Control inaugurated an innovation exhibition on the occasion of World Intellectual Property Day 2025. The exhibition included patents and interesting innovations that deserve attention.