Introduction: Dr.S.Rama Murthy is a Professor & Head, of Knowledge Management, Centre for Emerging Technologies, at Jain University Bengaluru , He has done his PhD from IIT(Chennai), He is Currently a Panel Member of Scientific Advisors -Controller General of Patents,Trademarks and Designs, India, he is associated with, CPA Global, The following is his success story which will set you in the right direction in paving you career path .
Questions of the interview:
1. When were you elected as panel member of scientific advisors?
In the year 2011
2. How is a typical workday in your life?
I have teaching work for Mitch classes, and guidance to PhD, Mtech students in their projects and work related to Advisor (IPR)
3. What skills are required in your position ?
Teaching Engineering subjects, prior- art -searches for new disclosures and analysis of patents
4. How did you get your job?
The present job of the Professor at Jain University was offered to me by the university based on my qualification and experience
5. Which parts of your job do you find most challenging?
The Scientific advisor to controller general of patents is an honorary post and some cases of patents are referred to me to give a technical opinion of the patents. As my name is published in patent office website, people from all over India contact me for any clarification about patenting
6. What do find most enjoyable about your job?
Interacting with the inventors in different areas of technologies is very interesting to me. This has helped me to learn more and more which has enhanced my knowledge base
7. How many hours do you work?
35-40 hours
8. How would you describe the corporate culture?
I had worked as a “scientist” for 30 years (as an inventor and obtained 5 patents) in the area of turbo-machines, ,tribology and rotor dynamics as a “patent specialist” for 6 years in a US based law firm -CPA Global (Intellevate) and as a Professor for 5 years and Advisor(IPR) at Jain University . I have adapted to environments of Government, corporate and private institutions.
9. What are the future prospects?
The future prospects in the area of IPR as a a “patent specialist” is very bright, especially for engineers and scientists with a good knowledge of IPR
10. What would be a reasonable salary range to expect if someone is interested in entering this field? What is the long term potential?
A patent engineer may expect about 3lakh/annum initially and may go upto 5 lakhs in 2-3 years when once there is IP skill enhancement. Salary depends upon the company, where employed.
11. If you could start all over again, would you change your career path?
I don’t want to change my field now. India needs skilled IPR specialists to compete with other developed countries
12. What educational preparation would you recommend for someone who wants to advance in this field?
India needs skilled IPR specialists to compete with other developed countries in the emerging interdisciplinary areas of technology. An engineering degree or Post-graduate in science with a post graduate diploma in IPR is the best combination. Further, IPR subject should be made compulsory in the final year of post -graduate in science and engineering degree course.
13. Can you suggest some ways a student could obtain this necessary experience?
Students should be sensitized about the importance of IPR and should undergo an intensive course in IPR especially in the training of “prior -art -searches”
14. What are the most important personal satisfactions and dissatisfactions connected with your occupation? What part of this job do you personally find most satisfying? Most challenging?
I get satisfaction when I make others understand the importance of IPR especially in analyzing patentability of an invention. I have delivered 92 lectures for various organizations on various aspects of IPR. Each lecture was a lesson to me while interacting with the participants.
Challenges:
Even though senior executives in educational institutions and industries appreciate the importance of IPR, sufficient budget is not provided to file the patent and also for research and development work. I suggest a separate budget provision needs to be done in all institutions for IP related activities like IPR programs and filing of patents. The IP culture should be developed at all levels starting from high school upto final year degree and further continued by all employers.
Then only India will be in a position to develop knowledge assets and compete in Knowledge economy with other developed countries
15. Finally what suggestions do you have for our readers?
Students and teachers should create an environment for children to innovate in all their work thereby creating an IP culture. There should be awards for innovative ideas, to motivate the students, even though all the ideas will not result in inventions. Like there is a boom in IT sector, IP should get a boost. This will help the society in future. Knowledge is power and intellectual knowledge with applications in product and process should be protected by various tools of IPR such as patent, copyright, industrial design, trademarks and geographical indications and trade secrets.
