The German Jordanian University (GJU), through the Circularity Knowledge Hub for Electric Vehicle Batteries (C-Hub), organized a specialized lecture entitled "Key Pillars for Shifting to an IP-Driven Culture." The lecture was delivered by international intellectual property and patent expert Eng. Khaled Aifan, Senior Patent Counsel at Porsche AG, as part of the university’s efforts to promote a culture of innovation and protect research outputs.
The event was attended by Prof. Ala'aldeen Al-Halhouli, President of GJU, Prof. Eyas Khader, Vice President for Academic Excellence, Dr. Fadwa Dababneh, Director of the Technology, Research and Innovation Park, and Prof. Osama Saadeh, Dean of Scientific Research, along with a distinguished group of faculty and administrative staff members, as well as students and researchers from various disciplines.
In his remarks, the University President emphasized the importance of fostering a strong intellectual property culture within academic institutions as a fundamental pillar for supporting innovation and transforming research outcomes into practical applications with economic and societal impact. He also stressed the importance of expanding international partnerships that facilitate knowledge exchange and technology transfer, particularly in the fields of research, development, and innovation between Jordan and Germany.
During the first part of the lecture, Eng. Khaled Aifan discussed the importance of developing clear institutional policies to protect research outputs and innovations within universities. He also highlighted the role of academic institutions in raising awareness among researchers and students about intellectual property rights, patent registration procedures, and intellectual asset management, thereby enhancing the protection, commercialization, and investment potential of innovations.
In the second part of the lecture, he reviewed key contemporary trends in patent litigation and disputes within advanced technology industries, shedding light on the legal challenges faced by companies and research institutions amid rapid technological developments. He further emphasized the importance of adopting effective strategies for managing risks associated with intellectual property rights.
He also addressed the legal framework governing patents and the principal judicial elements related to them, explaining how patent laws are implemented across different jurisdictions and their impact on protecting innovations and fostering a knowledge- and technology-based business environment.
The lecture witnessed active engagement and extensive discussions between participants and the guest expert, with numerous questions raised regarding patent registration, commercialization of university innovations, and legal challenges related to intellectual property across various technology sectors.
This event comes as part of the ongoing efforts of GJU to strengthen the culture of innovation and entrepreneurship and enhance awareness of the importance of intellectual property and its role in supporting scientific research and economic development. These efforts are advanced through specialized research centers and platforms that contribute to building a knowledge ecosystem supporting the transition toward a knowledge- and innovation-based economy.
