The School of Computer Science and Engineering (SoCSE), Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University (SMVDU), Katra, organized a two-day National Workshop on “Invent, Protect, Repeat: The Basics of Patenting Process” on October 22–23, 2026, focusing on the practical aspects of patentability assessment, prior-art searching, patent drafting, and filing procedures. The workshop aimed to familiarize participants with the process of converting innovative research ideas into potentially patentable inventions under the Indian patent system.
The workshop was organized under the patronage of Prof. Pragati Kumar, Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor, SMVDU, with Prof. Balbir Singh, Dean Academic Affairs, SMVDU, as the Chief Guest. The programme highlighted the importance of developing patent awareness and practical skills among researchers to help them identify, evaluate, and protect novel inventions arising from academic research.
The workshop witnessed participation from faculty members, research scholars, and students representing various academic and research domains, fostering interdisciplinary interaction and knowledge-sharing on intellectual property protection and the patenting process. The diverse participation provided a platform for attendees to understand how patenting principles can be applied across different fields of research and innovation.
During the inaugural session, Mr. Sudesh Kumar, Assistant Professor, SoCSE, presented the vote of thanks, expressing gratitude to the university leadership, resource persons, organizers, and participants for their support and contributions towards the successful conduct of the workshop.
A key focus of the workshop was understanding the initial stages of the patenting process, particularly assessing whether an invention meets the basic requirements for patent protection. Participants were introduced to the significance of novelty, inventive step, and industrial applicability, along with the importance of conducting prior-art searches before proceeding with a patent application. The sessions emphasized that identifying existing patents and related publications is an essential step in evaluating the novelty of an invention and determining its potential for patent protection.
Dr. Kalyan Potukuchi, the resource person, conducted technical and hands-on sessions on patent searching, patentability assessment, patent drafting, and filing procedures. Participants received practical exposure to patent search databases, including Google Patents and Espacenet, and learned how to search for existing inventions, use relevant keywords, examine patent documents, and identify prior art related to their research areas. The hands-on training placed particular emphasis on patent drafting, especially the preparation of clear and technically precise descriptions of inventions and the formulation of claims defining the scope of protection sought. Participants were also introduced to the procedural aspects of filing patent applications and the importance of preparing appropriate documentation. The workshop provided a foundational understanding of the stages involved in taking an invention from an initial research idea to a patent application.
Prof. (Dr.) Sharada M. Potukuchi, Professor, School of Biotechnology, SMVDU, delivered an expert lecture on the role of Intellectual Property Rights in safeguarding research outcomes and promoting innovation and technology development. The lecture highlighted the importance of recognizing the patent potential of research findings and protecting intellectual contributions at the appropriate stage.
The workshop was convened by Dr. Sakshi Arora, Associate Professor, SoCSE, with Dr. Shashi Bhushan Kotwal, Associate Professor, and Dr. Sonika Gupta, Assistant Professor, serving as Co-Convenors. Mr. Sudesh Kumar and Mr. Manoj Kumar, Assistant Professors, served as Coordinators. Dr. Sunanda, Associate Professor and Head, SoCSE, served as Organizing Secretary, while Ms. Savita Sharma, Ph.D. Scholar, served as Co-Organizing Secretary.
The workshop concluded with a valedictory ceremony, during which Dr. Sunanda emphasized the need to integrate patent awareness into academic research and encouraged participants to explore opportunities for protecting their innovative ideas. Certificates were distributed among the participants. The two-day National Workshop strengthened participants’ foundational understanding of the patenting process, particularly prior-art searching, patentability assessment, drafting, and filing.
