Lahore: 20-21 February, 2019:The second phase of the Training Workshop on Patent Database Searches and Development of Technology and Innovation Support Centers (TISCs) was held in Lahore. The training workshop was a joint initiative of IPO Pakistan, WIPO and Higher Education Commission (HEC) to introduce Patent databases to Universities, R&D institutes, Chambers of Commerce and SMEs in Pakistan. Primary objective of TISC workshop was to promote the use of Patent databases for prior art searches in order to avoid reinventing the wheel.

Dr. Rizwan Basharat, In-charge, IPO Regional Office, Lahore, Dr. ShafayShamail, Director, OSPR, LUMS and Mr. Shahzaib Abbasi, Director, HEC Regional Centre, Lahore welcomed the participants.Mr. Mussadiq Hussain, Program Officer, Access to Information and Knowledge Division, World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), Geneva and MsSaimaKanwal, Assistant Controller of Patents delivered valuable information to the participants in form of presentations and practical exercises for prior art searches.

Participants of the workshop were from Punjab, KPK and Islamabad territory and their active and productive participation made this event a success.