Manipur University, On November 28, 2025, the Department of Statistics at Manipur University launched a monthly talk series. The inaugural talk focused on the topic of “Patents” and featured the esteemed Professor Kshetrimayum Lal Bihari Singha from the Department of Botany as the resource person—the event aimed to enhance understanding of patents and their significance in research and innovation.
He commenced the session by providing a comprehensive introduction to the concept of patents, defining their purpose and the role they play in protecting intellectual property. He highlighted how patents encourage innovation by granting inventors exclusive rights to their inventions for a specified period of time.
He elaborated on the various types of patents, including utility patents, design patents, and plant patents, explaining the criteria required for each. Emphasis was placed on the patent application process, covering essential steps such as prior art searches, filing requirements, and patent examination.
He discussed how patents can foster economic growth by incentivizing research and development. He shared case studies of successful innovations that were protected by patents, which subsequently led to significant advancements in their respective fields.
The talk addressed common challenges faced by researchers and inventors in obtaining patents, including the complexity of the application process and the need for specialized legal expertise.
He emphasized the importance of understanding patents in the context of academic research, mentioning how researchers can leverage patent data to identify trends and gaps in their fields.
The session concluded with an engaging Q&A segment, where attendees had the opportunity to ask questions and discuss various aspects of patenting. The interaction enriched the experience for all participants.
The talk on patents organized by the Department of Statistics proved to be an invaluable experience for students and faculty alike. It not only provided essential knowledge about the patenting process but also encouraged discussions on the importance of protecting intellectual property in academia. The Department of Statistics looks forward to hosting more informative talks in the future, further promoting learning and innovation within the university community.