Seminar on Traditional Studies Held

KOCHI:
The three-day International Seminar jointly organised by the Centre for Health Law and Policy, Centre for Human Rights and Centre for Intellectual Property Rights, Research Centres of the National University of Advanced Legal Studies, Kochi (NUALS) on the theme of “Traditional Knowledge” commenced on Friday in the NUALS Campus situated at Kalamassery. The theme is based on the discourse of health, human rights and intellectual property on traditional knowledge. The conference aims to explore the present framework regarding traditional knowledge, human rights and health from an interdisciplinary principle.
Justice Kemal Pasha, Judge of the High Court of Kerala inaugurated the Seminar. In his inaugural speech, he stressed on the importance of protecting traditional knowledge and noted the instances of applications being filed for patenting neem, turmeric etc. The chair, Dr. N.K. Jayakumar, Special Private Secretary to the Chief Minister, Government of Kerala explained the link between traditional knowledge and bio-diversity and the scope of application of such knowledge through the avenues provided by Intellectual Property Rights. Dr. Carlos M.
Correa, Director of Center for Interdisciplinary Studies on Industrial Property &
Economics Law (CEIDDIE), University of Buenos Aires, Argentina, Dr. Ghazala Javed, Ministry of AYUSH representative were also present.