SICIP holds its opening ceremony for the 2024 cohort on Sept 3. [Photo/WeChat ID: Shanghai_IPA]

On Sept 3, Shanghai International College of Intellectual Property (SICIP) held its opening ceremony for the 2024 cohort, which includes both Chinese and international students.

The event also marked the launch of the joint World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)-Tongji University intellectual property master's program and the Chinese government's "Belt and Road" intellectual property master's program.

Key attendees included Han Guoqing, deputy director general of the International Cooperation Department of the China National Intellectual Property Administration, Martha Chikowore, acting head of the Academic Institutions and Executive Program at the WIPO Academy, and Yu Chen, deputy director general of the Shanghai Intellectual Property Administration.

Han Guoqing delivers a speech to the new students. [Photo/WeChat ID: Shanghai_IPA]

Han highlighted China's efforts to enhance intellectual property cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative, stressing the importance of cultivating intellectual property talent. He encouraged students to foster international communication and cooperation in the field.

Martha Chikowore speaks at the opening ceremony. [Photo/WeChat ID: Shanghai_IPA]

Chikowore thanked Chinese authorities and Tongji University for their support, emphasizing the growing importance of intellectual property in global trade. She urged students to aspire to innovate and contribute to the creation of a brighter future.

Yu Chen speaks at the opening ceremony. [Photo/WeChat ID: Shanghai_IPA]

Yu noted Shanghai's commitment to becoming a global intellectual property hub, while also encouraging students to develop their professional skills and adopt an international perspective.

During the ceremony, 14 doctoral and 71 master's students, including 25 international students from 22 countries, began their studies at the college.