The Anti-Counterfeit Authority has partnered with the National Industrial Training Authority to develop a Training curriculum on Intellectual Property enforcement. A first of its kind in matters counterfeiting that emanates from infringement of IP in Kenya will be available to all IP enforcement stakeholders in the country and is open to our counterparts in the region.

The need for education on matters counterfeiting and intellectual property is no longer limited to academic institutions or specialist IP practitioners but open to business executives, government agencies dealing with IP and non-jurists interacting with the IP ecosystem. Despite these academic institutions offering IP, IP education is relatively new to many, and principles and methods in teaching IP are still evolving.

Against this backdrop, the authority has proposed curriculum and training program tailored in response to the current dynamic evolution of IP and increasing counterfeiting across all sectors and in the supply chain. It offers basic or additional IP skills as well as up-to-date knowledge about emerging IP issues applicable to their business activities, regulatory mandates, and career development.

Speaking at the inauguration event held at a Naivasha hotel, the Anti-Counterfeit Authority Executive Director Dr. Robi Njoroge Mbugua said the Authority intends to offer refresher courses to IP professionals and brand protection specialists and other IP enthusiasts who wish to obtain additional skills. ‘The curriculum will be part of the learning curve, and we look forward to making a stronger IP protection & enforcement knowledge base for all our stakeholders”. Said Dr. Mbugua.

The target audience for the training will include not only ACA staff who join the authority with basic skills or no previous skills on issues of counterfeiting, but also external stakeholders require skills, competencies, and knowledge to combat counterfeit within their mandate or in collaboration with ACA.

The National Industrial Training Authority (NITA) is a state corporation established under the Industrial Training (Amendment) Act of 2011 mandated to promote the highest standards in the quality and efficiency of Industrial Training in Kenya and ensure an adequate supply of properly trained manpower.

The Anti-Counterfeit Authority seeks to enhance management of partnerships in the war against counterfeiting and to establish an informed network of government agencies stakeholders who can cross-share intelligence on matters counterfeiting and collaborate with ACA within their niche of operation.