In mid-October, as part of Erasmus+ Days at Igor Sikorsky KPI 2025, a series of events took place, including information and consultation sessions for potential participants in this program.
Taking advantage of this opportunity, researchers from the Department of Intellectual Property and Private Law (IVPP) of the Faculty of Sociology and Law share their achievements in scientific research on the strategic development of intellectual property in Ukraine, which has been carried out by the department since 2023 as part of the Jean Monnet “Module” of the Erasmus+ program. Participants in the conversation include: Daria Marits, Doctor of Law, Head of the IPRP Department, project leader; Maria Yasharova, Candidate of Law, Associate Professor of the IVPP Department, member of the Ukrainian Bar Association, project expert; Olga Golovko, PhD in Law, Associate Professor, project expert, mediator.
In the photo: Dariya Marits, Doctor of Law, Head of the Department of IVPP– Daria Oleksandrivna, please tell us how the idea to apply for the Jean Monnet Module came about and how difficult the preparatory stage was.
– The preparatory stage was quite demanding and lengthy. We understood that the Jean Monnet Module is a very competitive program, where success depends on many factors: the clarity of the idea, the cohesion of the team, and compliance with European priorities. The Department of Intellectual Property and Private Law already had experience in teaching subjects related to intellectual property law, but we wanted to make them even more relevant—specifically through the prism of European integration. This led to the creation of the EUSDIP project (“Scientific Research: European Integration in Strategic Intellectual Property Development”), which focuses on the harmonization of Ukrainian legislation with EU law in the field of intellectual property. The competition was very high, but thanks to the well-coordinated work of the team, we were able to convince the experts of the importance of our initiative.
– The project is now in its third year. What key results do you consider most important?
– First of all, it is the integration of the course “European Integration in Strategic Intellectual Property Development” into the educational process. We see that this course is of interest not only to students, but also to listeners from other fields – civil servants, scientists, practitioners. In two years, we have reached over a hundred listeners from different regions of Ukraine. This demonstrates the demand for knowledge in the field of intellectual property law in the context of European integration. The scientific direction of the project is also important, in particular, scientific and practical events were held, including a winter school, which attracted national and foreign experts in the field of intellectual property.
What opportunities has EUSDIP opened up for students and faculty members?
For students, it is primarily a new level of access to knowledge about the EU. They study a discipline based on European directives, agreements, and strategies, which shapes their modern vision of the role of intellectual property in science, innovation, and business. For teachers, it is an opportunity to integrate European experience into their own courses, broaden their research horizons, and participate in international events. The faculty as a whole also benefits, thanks to the enhancement of its international reputation and the development of cooperation with European partners.
– You head the Department of Intellectual Property and Private Law. How has participation in the project affected the department?
– The department has been given a unique opportunity to combine educational, scientific, and international components in a single project. This helps to increase student motivation, as they see that their teachers are participating in prestigious international programs. In addition, we hold additional events within the project, such as trainings, workshops, guest lectures, etc. This creates a completely new educational space where students become participants in a lively discussion.
– What challenges did you face during the implementation of the project and how did they affect its development?
– The biggest challenge is the constant dynamics of changes in EU legislation, as well as national legislation in the field of intellectual property law. We are working in a war situation, where many students have to combine their studies with work or volunteering, staying in shelters, etc. However, this is what adds value to the project: we see that knowledge of intellectual property and European law helps students and professionals better navigate today's challenges. Another challenge is the huge array of European sources that need to be adapted for a Ukrainian audience, but at the same time, this is our resource for development.
– Can we say that the project contributes to the harmonization of Ukrainian legislation with EU law in the field of intellectual property?
– Yes, definitely. The course developed within the EUSDIP is based on the provisions of EU directives and agreements, and students gain a practical understanding of how these norms can be applied in Ukraine. Project participants learn to analyze European documents, compare them with national legislation, and identify possible ways of harmonization. In this way, the project directly influences the formation of a modern legal culture in the field of intellectual property.
– What scientific results have already been implemented?
– We have prepared a series of materials and are working on a monograph entitled “European Integration in the Strategic Development of Intellectual Property.” It is important that the course materials are systematized and useful not only for KPI students, but also for teachers at other higher education institutions and practitioners.
– Are there already examples of success stories among students or listeners who participated in the project?
– Yes, there are. Some of our students have continued their research in the field of intellectual property at the postgraduate level. Others are implementing startups or working in companies where the protection of intellectual rights is a top priority.
It is gratifying to see graduates using the knowledge they have gained to protect brands, develop IP strategies, or participate in international programs. This is the best confirmation of the effectiveness of our work.
– What, in your opinion, are the further prospects for the project's development until 2026?
– Our goal is to ensure the sustainability of the results. We want the course to remain in the educational program even after the funding ends, and we want the manuals and monograph to be actively used in teaching. We also plan to expand the circle of students – to involve more specialists from related fields, because intellectual property is relevant to science, IT, medicine, and culture. And, of course, to continue integrating Ukrainian science and education into the European space.
– Olga Mykhailivna, which part of the EUSDIP project are you leading, and how is its work being implemented in an educational and practical context?
– Within the EUSDIP project, I am leading a section dedicated to IP mediation in the context of European integration. This is particularly valuable for Ukraine, as we have a lot to share and showcase our own achievements. In particular, even before the creation of a similar center at the European Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), a Mediation Center was established at the Ukrainian National Office of Intellectual Property and Innovation (UKRNOIVI), which is now actively functioning. It provides training in mediation specifically in the IP sphere, which allows Ukrainian practices to be combined with European approaches and to see the real synergy of these experiences.
For me, it is extremely important that through the EUSDIP project, students have the opportunity to explore mediation in the field of intellectual property. This not only increases the level of competence of specialists, but also creates a more favorable investment climate in Ukraine, as effective dispute resolution in the field of intellectual property increases confidence in the market and innovation. The EUSDIP project contributes to this focus by stimulating the development of IP mediation and the interaction of Ukrainian and European experience.
I am also involved in the work of the EUIPO initiative group on improving the IP sphere, “Mediation as a subject in intellectual property education programs.” I am the only representative of Ukraine in this group, which places a high level of professional responsibility on me and, at the same time, opens up unique opportunities for cooperation with colleagues from EU countries. I hope that as a result of this work, we will be able to launch a separate course on mediation in the field of intellectual property at the Faculty of Sociology and Law, as well as integrate it into the current educational programs of Igor Sikorsky KPI at other faculties.
– Mariya Mykolayivna, how has your participation in the project influenced your own teaching practice and approaches to teaching in the field of intellectual property?
The project has become a kind of “catalyst for change” in my teaching practice. Whereas previously we focused more on national legislation, now the emphasis is on comparison with European standards. I began to make wider use of EU case law analysis and model cases that are as close to reality as possible. This promotes a deeper understanding of complex legal processes. Measures aimed at introducing effective mechanisms for the protection of intellectual property, in particular industrial property, have become an important component of teaching.
We pay attention to the specifics of intellectual property protection in the EU economy and business, and analyze the legal regulation of the protection of individual industrial property objects at both the national and European levels. This gives students the opportunity to understand which problems remain unresolved, how they can be overcome, and which mechanisms can be used to adapt European standards to Ukrainian realities. It creates a space in which students can feel like active participants in the process of modernizing the intellectual property protection system in Ukraine, which is directly related to its integration into the European legal space.
On photo: Olga Golovko, Associate Professor, Department of IVPPFor reference: This publication was produced as part of the international education project “Scientific Research: European Integration in Strategic Intellectual Property Development” under the Jean Monnet “Module” of the Erasmus+ program No. 101126995 (a joint project of Igor Sikorsky KPI, Erasmus+ Jean Monnet Fund, and the Education, Audiovisual, and Culture Executive Agency with the support of the EU).