National Conference on "Ideas to Innovation: IP Eco- system in Empowering Start-ups to strive for आत्मनिर्भर भारत"

Introduction

The Centre of Excellence, School of Law, Gujarat University, in collaboration with the Controller General of Patents, Designs & Trade Marks (CGPDTM), Government of India, successfully organized a Two-Day National Conference on “Ideas to Innovation: IP Eco-System in Empowering Start-Ups to Strive आत्मनिर्भर भारत” on 6th and 7th February 2026 at Gujarat University, Ahmedabad. The conference aimed to strengthen awareness and understanding of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) as a catalyst for innovation, start-ups, and sustainable nation-building aligned with the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat. It also sought to promote collaboration between academia, industry, and policy institutions while encouraging research and patent culture in universities.

Participation Highlights

The conference witnessed an overwhelming national response, with 339 registered participants representing 27 universities and 33 colleges from 7 states across India. Among them, approximately 269 participants were from Gujarat and 70 from other states. The participants included 229 students and research scholars, 90 faculty members, 13 IP professionals, and 7 advocates, ensuring diverse academic and professional engagement throughout the conference.

Inaugural Session

The conference commenced with an Inaugural Session held at Atal Kalam Research Park, Gujarat University, graced by eminent dignitaries including Hon’ble Dr. Justice Kaushal J. Thaker, Chairperson, Gujarat State Human Rights Commission; Prof. (Dr.) Unnat P. Pandit, Controller General of Patents, Designs & Trade Marks (CGPDTM); Padmashri Prof. (Dr.) G. D. Yadav, Chairman, Scientific Advisory Committee on Hydrocarbons; Dr. Dinesh P. Patil, Joint Controller of Patents & Designs; Dr. Prateek Kanchan, Conference Director and Director (I/c), School of Law; and Dr. Bhavesh H. Bharad, Conference Convenor and Coordinator, Centre of Excellence. Prof. (Dr.) Unnat P. Pandit addressed the gathering virtually from Geneva and emphasized the importance of strengthening university-based innovation ecosystems and patent culture to support start-ups and youth innovators.

Plenary Session

The Plenary Session was delivered by Padmashri Prof. (Dr.) G. D. Yadav on the theme “Patent, Publish and Prosper – The 3P Model.” He emphasized that universities must integrate research with intellectual property generation, commercialization, and technology transfer, encouraging institutions to move beyond publication-oriented research towards innovation-driven academic ecosystems.

Panel Discussion

A Panel Discussion on “Innovation to Nation Building: Leveraging Intellectual Property for Aatmanirbhar Bharat” brought together distinguished experts including Dr. Arvind Ranade, Director, National Innovation Foundation; Prof. (Dr.) Navin Sheth, Former Vice-Chancellor, Gujarat Technological University; Ms. Gopi Trivedi, Patent Attorney and Senior Partner at Y. J. Trivedi & Co.; and Ms. Hetvi Trivedi, Independent IP Consultant. The discussion highlighted grassroots innovation, incubation ecosystems, IP awareness, commercialization strategies, and the role of intellectual property in supporting youth and women entrepreneurs.

Technical Sessions

The academic core of the conference consisted of nine thematic technical sessions, conducted in both offline and online modes including 176 presenters . The sessions covered emerging areas such as Artificial Intelligence and Intellectual Property, Indian Knowledge Systems, Traditional Knowledge Protection, Sustainable and Green Innovation, Start-up Ecosystems, and IP Governance. These sessions witnessed research paper presentations from academicians, scholars, and professionals across India, fostering meaningful academic dialogue and promoting innovation-oriented research and intellectual property awareness.

Poster Competition

A Poster Competition was organized on the theme “Aatmanirbhar Bharat: From Ideas to Innovation.” Participants creatively presented ideas related to innovation, entrepreneurship, intellectual property awareness, and sustainable development. The posters reflected strong conceptual clarity, creative design, and research-based insights, effectively translating complex ideas into engaging visual presentations.

Valedictory Session

The conference concluded with a Valedictory Session attended by Dr. P. M. Patel, Registrar, Gujarat University; Dr. Ajay Thakur, Deputy Controller of Patents & Designs; Prof. Jagdish Joshi, Director, UGC Malaviya Mission Teacher Training Centre; Dr. Prateek Kanchan, Conference Director; and Dr. Bhavesh H. Bharad, Conference Convenor. The dignitaries appreciated the successful collaboration between Gujarat University and CGPDTM and acknowledged the academic richness of the conference. Winners of the Poster Competition and Research Paper Presentations (Online and Offline) were felicitated and certificates were distributed to participants.

Conclusion

The conference successfully strengthened academia–policy collaboration, promoted research and patent culture, enhanced awareness about intellectual property commercialization, and facilitated national networking among scholars and professionals. The event emerged as an important academic initiative contributing to the national vision of innovation-led development and Aatmanirbhar Bharat.