Technical University – Sofia and the Patent Office of the Republic of Bulgaria signed a Memorandum of Cooperation

The Rector of the Technical University – Sofia, Prof. Dr. Eng. Ivan Kralov, and the Chairman of the Patent Office of the Republic of Bulgaria, Olya Dimitrova, signed a Memorandum of Cooperation. Its aim is to support the development of the active educational, scientific research, and development activities carried out at TU – Sofia, through the competencies of the Patent Office, based on national policy in the field of industrial property, as well as the promotion, protection, and commercialization of intellectual property resulting from the activities of the Technical University – Sofia.

The joint activities will be in the following areas: creation of innovative and interdisciplinary educational products in the field of industrial property; organization and implementation of events, symposia, round tables, seminars, and any other informational activities in the specified areas of mutual interest; organization and implementation of a course for obtaining a diploma in patent law specialization; exchange of expert-consulting competencies and creation of a joint expert capacity for the needs of both institutions to support joint activities and the implementation of mutually beneficial projects for both organizations; provision of publicly accessible information in the field of industrial property with the aim of promoting the legal protection of industrial property and innovative activities; conducting educational practices and internships for TU – Sofia students at the Patent Office. 

The Memorandum provides that the partnership between the Technical University – Sofia and the Patent Office will be implemented through the provision and exchange of information from the Patent Office to TU – Sofia regarding the needs for specialists required by the Office to carry out expertise or other types of activities. The Patent Office will provide TU – Sofia with information on the development of the industrial property system at the European and national levels, with the aim of improving knowledge and increasing the quality of services and encouraging applicant activity for objects of industrial property. Joint discussions will also be held regarding the master's program "Intellectual Property and Innovations" created by TU – Sofia and its support in conducting training and establishing contacts with the academies of international organizations such as the European Patent Office, the European Union Intellectual Property Office, and the World Intellectual Property Organization.

Upon signing the memorandum, both parties declared that to achieve sustainable economic and social development and enhance the competitiveness of the Bulgarian economy, interaction and partnership between academic and state institutions are necessary, which will contribute to the development of scientific research and innovations across the entire spectrum of engineering activities. An important part of this process will also be the timely and adequate protection and safeguarding of created intellectual products – industrial property, as well as the enhancement of the overall expert and professional capacity of both institutions.