GENEVA – The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Maqsut Narikbayev University (MNU) have teamed up to offer WIPO’s first graduate program in the Central Asian Region to be delivered in English and Russian. The new Joint Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Intellectual Property (IP) and Business Law is now open for registration until July 5, 2024 for the first edition starting in September 2024, according to the official website of WIPO.

The LL.M. in IP and Business Law is WIPO’s 18th Joint Master’s Degree offered through the WIPO Academy’s University Partnerships Program. WIPO Director General, Daren Tang; Azamat Yeskaraev, Minister of Justice of the Republic of Kazakstan; Sayasat Nurbek, Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakstan; and Talgat Narikbayev, Chairman of the Board of MNU, signed an agreement to launch the new program in May 2024.

“In today’s knowledge-driven economy, the WIPO Academy supports professional IP and business skills development in all regions. This 18th WIPO Joint Master’s Program, in collaboration with the Government of Kazakhstan and Maqsut Narikbayev University, will help bring IP closer to people, businesses and communities, enhancing IP’s strategic role in business development and preparing future generations for career success”, Daren Tang, WIPO Director General said.

What will the new program cover?

The 12-month program will be delivered in-person at MNU in Astana, Kazakhstan, and will equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to make strategic decisions towards effectively monetizing IP assets in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

The LL.M. in IP and Business Law will be delivered by leading experts from academia, the private sector and government, who will cover topics such as:

• Trademarks, industrial designs and geographical indications;
• Patent law and policy;
• IP asset management and IP strategies in business;
• Licensing IP; and
• Commercialization of innovation.

The government of the Republic of Kazakhstan will offer at least 10 scholarships each year to Kazakh nationals on the graduate program.

For registration, visit the following link: https://www.wipo.int/academy/en/news/2024/news_0030.html