The event was held with the support of the “Partnership for a Strong Ukraine” Program and focused on modern opportunities for using intellectual property as an important asset for the development, scaling, and enhancement of the competitiveness of small and medium-sized businesses.

During the meeting, participants learned about:

• how intellectual property can become an asset for business development;

• the services and support offered to entrepreneurs by the Ukrainian National Office for Intellectual Property and Innovations (UANIPIO / IP Office);

• state and regional support programs for small and medium-sized enterprises;

• the SME Fund 2026 program and opportunities for financing the protection of intellectual property rights;

• a practical algorithm for obtaining support for one’s own business.

The speaker at the event was Viktoriia Valeriivna Krechko, Deputy Head of the Grant Activity Coordination Department at the State Organization “Ukrainian National Office for Intellectual Property and Innovations” (UANIPIO / IP Office).

Practical Value for Professional Training

The participation of lecturers in such professional events is directly relevant to the training of students enrolled in the educational program “Commodity Science and Customs Expertise.”

A modern specialist in the field of commodity science and customs affairs must not only possess knowledge of the properties, assortment, and quality of goods but also understand the legal and economic aspects of their circulation, including issues related to the protection of intellectual property.

The knowledge and practical case studies acquired by the lecturers during the event can be integrated into the educational process and will contribute to the development of the following professional competencies among students:

• identification and examination of goods, taking into account indicators of authenticity, brands, and other intellectual property objects;

• detection of signs of counterfeit products and understanding the risks of intellectual property rights violations when goods cross the customs border;

• understanding the role of trademarks, industrial designs, geographical indications, and other intellectual property objects in the circulation of goods;

• application of knowledge regarding legal and organizational mechanisms for the protection of intellectual property in professional activities;

• understanding modern instruments for supporting entrepreneurs and opportunities for financing intellectual property protection;

• development of skills in working with up-to-date professional information and practical tools used by business representatives and intellectual property specialists.

Thus, the participation of the department’s lecturers in the event contributes to updating the content of the educational process in accordance with the current needs of the labor market and strengthening the practical component of training future specialists in commodity science and customs expertise.

The acquired knowledge can be used in teaching educational components related to commodity examination, product identification, customs control, intellectual property rights protection, and the organization of commercial activities. This will enable students to better understand the relationship between the quality and identification of goods, intellectual property, customs control, and the protection of rights holders’ interests in modern international trade.

According to information provided by the Department of Commodity Science and Commercial Entrepreneurship of the Educational and Research Institute of Business, Management and Public Administration.