In order to grow with the time, the developing countries should have the dedication to encourage innovation and protecting the rights of those behind the costly and risky business of research. Therefore protection to intellectual property rights has got paramount importance. And even in case of healthcare, developing countries' crying need is crying need to find means to provide health care access without jeopardizing intellectual property, said Hocine Sidi Said, managing director of Pfizer Ltd., India.

Sidi Said was speaking at the occasion of the Institute of Intellectual Property Studies's (IIPS) Convocation for the participants of its batch of 2001-02 Post Graduate Diploma in Patent Law and Practice programme in Mumbai.

In the chief guest's address, Sidi Said spoke on the ethical, cultural and economic challenges being faced by intellectual property, and why and how some countries find Intellectual Property a difficult notion to accept. Sidi Said also spoke on intellectual property vis-à-vis the pharmaceutical industry today. He added that the IP lawyers and consultants will always find a role to play in today's research oriented business world.

Sidi Said presented the Post Graduate diplomas to the successful participants. These included senior scientists, lawyers, engineers, consultants and other specialists from diverse fields from companies such as Marico Industries, Cipla, Alembic, Unichem, United Phosphorus Ltd., Novartis, Godrej, Zydus Cadila, Torrent Pharmaceuticals, Cadila Pharmaceuticals, Kopran Research Laboratories, FDC, Ratiopharm, Jemburkt Pharmaceuticals, Excel Industries, Ivax India etc. Outstanding participants were also awarded trophies for excellence.

A novel feature this year was the brief presentation made by each of the graduating participants, sharing with batch mates, IIPS alumni and other audience members the salient features and research findings of their dissertation topics.

IIPS focuses on catering to the country's need for training intellectuals and professionals in IP related matters. It has met with continuing industry support, and after three successful years in Mumbai and Hyderabad, is currently open for registrations to the 4th batch of its Patent Law and Practice programme which is scheduled to commence mid July, 2003.With its specialist course on Patent Law and Practice, IIPS aims to increase the membership of qualified and trained Indians in the IP Community.