From 31 August – 11 September 2026, CIPPM hosted the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) – UK online Summer School on Intellectual Property for the third consecutive year.
It was opened by Maria-Stella Ntamark of WIPO; Professor Stephanie Schwandner-Sievers (Associate Dean, Global and Strategic Partnerships, Bournemouth University) and Professor Dinusha Mendis, Director, CIPPM.
It was a great honour for CIPPM, Bournemouth University to be selected by WIPO to host the UK edition of the Summer School for the third consecutive year.
Attended by a record 73 delegates from 46 countries across six of the world’s seven continents, the Summer School was reflective of the diversity of experiences, perspectives, and professional backgrounds.
Our programme was designed to provide the delegates with an overview of the different areas of intellectual property, including copyright, patents, trade marks, geographical indications, as well as insights into intellectual property strategy and innovation. However, the programme went beyond the principles and theories of intellectual property to examine how IP law is applied to the contemporary issues and emerging technologies that increasingly shape our world.
From artificial intelligence to deepfakes; from tattoos to outer space; from tradition to innovation; from global markets to intellectual property strategies across borders; from creativity to brand identity; and from sport to entertainment and much more, the Summer School programme was designed to stimulate the delegates’ thinking and encourage them to explore some of the defining challenges of our time.
To cover all these topics, the Summer School featured 24 leading experts in intellectual property law drawn from the United Kingdom, Europe, North and South America, and Asia. While the programme had a strong focus on intellectual property from the perspectives of UK and European law, the lecturers and guest speakers provided valuable insights into developments from the UK and EU as well as other parts of the world, giving the delegates a truly international and comparative understanding of IP.
On the final day, the delegates were invited to present on a topic of their choice. The presentations were high-quality and very impressive. From exploring copyright issues relating to AI and music, to patents and football innovation to non traditional trade marks in sports and trade marks and the circular economy to jurisdictional study of AI to IP platforms and the creative economy – they were all very interesting and informative, bringing the two weeks to a successful and highly insightful conclusion.
The WIPO-UK Summer School also gave CIPPM an opportunity to create and launch our Global Network of Regional Ambassadors drawn from our WIPO-UK Summer School alumni of 2024 and 2025. We will share more information about this in due course – watch this space!
If you are interested in future Summer School please send an e-mail to: WIPO-CIPPMSummerSchool@bournemouth.ac.uk
We are very grateful to all our guest speakers and our wonderful delegates for making the Summer School a resounding success. Set out below is a snapshot of some of the testimonials we have received from our Class of 2026.
Testimonials
Agnieszka Kulacka (UK/Poland)
“The WIPO–UK Summer School at Bournemouth University was a genuinely inspiring experience. What I valued most was how much it broadened my perspective beyond the law itself. It encouraged me to think about intellectual property as part of a much wider conversation about innovation, creativity, technology, culture and global cooperation.
The programme showed how IP can operate as a practical toolkit: helping to preserve traditional knowledge, supporting innovation, responding to the challenges of global markets, and engaging with questions ranging from international standards and taxation to law in outer space.
Some sessions also made me reflect deeply on the complexity of human creativity. The Anne Frank case study was particularly memorable, as were discussions about non-traditional artistic expression, including tattoos and tactile art, and about how legal rules may need to evolve alongside social and technological change.
I also appreciated the focus on human-centred innovation, particularly in relation to assistive technologies such as hearing devices.
The quality and variety of the lectures were excellent, and learning alongside participants from many countries made the experience especially rich, stimulating and memorable”.
Olowogboyega Oluwanifemi (Nigeria)
“The WIPO Summer School 2026 was an experience that genuinely expanded the way I think about intellectual property. I came in interested in IP, but I left realizing just how many unexpected directions the field can take.
I particularly enjoyed the sessions on Anne Frank’s diary, tattooing and IP law, and assistive technology. The discussion on how patent law can support persons with disabilities was especially memorable, showing me that IP intersects with some of the most dynamic and human aspects of everyday life.
I also loved listening to the questions from fellow participants. I was often amazed by how creatively and boldly people approached the scenarios presented to us at times, the questions were just as valuable as the lectures themselves.
The quality of the lectures, the interactions with tutors and guest speakers, and the overall organization made the experience truly worthwhile. Having access to such rich lecture slides as long-term reference materials is an added bonus I deeply appreciate.
I left on an incredible high, with a far broader perspective on IP and so much more I want to explore”.
Rahat Tabassum (Bangladesh)
“The WIPO-UK Summer School was a truly valuable and enjoyable learning experience. I really appreciated the variety of topics, the quality of the lectures, and the opportunity to learn directly from leading experts in the field. The interactive sessions and discussions helped me to see intellectual property from new perspectives. I am grateful to everyone involved for making the programme so engaging, well organised and welcoming. It was a memorable experience that has strengthened my interest in intellectual property and given me much to take forward in my practice”.
David Casadiego (Colombia)
“The WIPO-UK Summer School was a particularly enriching experience, both academically and professionally. One of its strongest aspects is the opportunity it creates to build genuine connections with professionals from different countries and backgrounds. In that sense, it is one of the best courses I have attended for developing an international professional network.
I also found the final group project especially valuable. Working closely with other participants, while receiving direct guidance from one of the course professors, created a much more personal and collaborative environment. It was an excellent opportunity not only to exchange ideas with colleagues, but also to interact more closely with the faculty.
The syllabus was broad and well structured. I particularly appreciated that the subjects were not approached only from a strictly legal perspective, but also through their historical, political and economic context. This made the discussions more complete and helped place IP issues within a wider framework.
Overall, the Summer School was very well organised, with high-quality lectures, excellent guest speakers and a genuinely international learning environment”.
Maria Fernanda Mantilla (Ecuador)
“Participating in the WIPO-UK Summer School 2026 was an exceptionally enriching experience, both academically and professionally. The programme offered an advanced and highly relevant syllabus that went far beyond a traditional approach to intellectual property, incorporating contemporary issues related to technology, artificial intelligence, creative industries and innovation. I particularly valued the opportunity to learn from distinguished academics, practitioners and guest speakers who brought international, practical and multidisciplinary perspectives to each topic. The lectures were intellectually challenging and encouraged us to think critically about how intellectual property is evolving in response to technological and economic change”.
Alireza Rahimighadim (Iran)
“The WIPO-UK Summer School was an excellent and highly valuable learning experience. The syllabus covered a wide range of contemporary intellectual property issues, including patents, trademarks, copyright, geographical indications, AI, digital technologies, and the right to repair. I particularly appreciated the combination of theoretical discussions with practical examples and case studies.
The lectures were informative, engaging, and delivered by knowledgeable academics and practitioners from different backgrounds. The opportunity to interact with tutors, guest speakers, and participants from different countries made the experience especially valuable and provided a truly international perspective on intellectual property law.
I also appreciated the organisation of the Summer School, including the interactive sessions, discussions, presentations, and opportunities for questions and participation. The diverse backgrounds of the participants created a stimulating academic environment and encouraged the exchange of different legal perspectives.
Overall, the Summer School significantly broadened my understanding of contemporary IP issues and gave me valuable insights that I can apply to my academic research and professional work. I am very grateful to WIPO, CIPPM, the tutors, guest speakers, and the organising team for this excellent experience”.
Kingsley Ngaikoh (Cameroon)
“We had a comprehensive and highly relevant course work covering contemporary issues in IP,AI and mass digitization,private life and public domain,IP across borders, and new technologies and creative industries which aligned with my future career interest in technology law.
We had the privilege to learn from 24 distinguished lecturers,experts and professionals from around the world. The quality of lectures were outstanding,rigorous yet accessible, with real-world examples that bridged theory and practice.
What stood out most for me was the interaction.Tutors, guest speakers and CIPPM staff were approachable, encouraging and genuinely focused in our learning.The staff-led interactive sessions created a collaborative space where students could debate, question and share across jurisdictions.
The organisation was seamless, well scheduled, fostering both academic focus and networking.I leave with deeper knowledge, global connections and renewed motivation to pursue advanced studies in IP and technology law”.
Tanya Sen (India)
“The WIPO-UK Summer School was an enriching and intellectually stimulating learning experience. The syllabus was thoughtfully structured, covering a broad range of contemporary intellectual property issues while also providing opportunities to explore emerging areas and different perspectives on IP. The lectures were consistently engaging and delivered by knowledgeable academics and practitioners, with a good balance between theoretical insights and practical perspectives.
I particularly valued the interactions with the tutors and guest speakers, whose openness to questions and willingness to share their experiences made the sessions especially engaging. The interactions with the CIPPM staff were equally warm and supportive throughout the programme.
The Summer School was very well organised, with a clear structure and smooth coordination. The diversity of participants from different professional and geographical backgrounds was another major strength, creating opportunities for meaningful discussions and exchange of perspectives.
Overall, the programme broadened my understanding of intellectual property beyond my existing professional experience and encouraged me to think more critically about its relationship with technology, innovation and society. It was a valuable opportunity to learn, connect and gain perspectives that I can carry forward into my professional journey”.
Adanna Als (Trinidad and Tobago)
“The CIPPM/WIPO Summer School UK was nothing short of enriching and academically stimulating. As someone that has never dabbled in IP I was pleasantly surprised at how deeply entrenched IP is in our day to day lives, fascinated by all of its wide ranging intricacies re: legal frameworks and ever evolving tech and of course, well pleased with the lecturers and relevant topics. I remain curious and would love to delve into IP a bit further, thank you for selecting me, allowing me to learn and explore. I would highly recommend the University of Bournemouth, CIPPM/WIPO UK Summer school to other professionals/academics”.
