A transforming break for a woman in science
Dr. Amita Kumari, a Ph.D. in chemistry from Chaudhary Charan Singh University, Meerut (U.P.), who had to leave her Senior Research Fellowship at ICMR to take care of her daughter, has now found a channel to utilize her scientific knowledge as a Patent Associate (Science) in one of India’s leading IPR firms.
Few years ago, she had to abandon her career after the birth of her daughter. As she was struggling to balance her career with the responsibility of her only daughter and duties towards her family, selection for the WOS-C training came to her rescue.
During the training, she got substantial exposure in handling a wide variety of Patent Applications in Indian and various foreign jurisdictions. The month-long orientation programme and lectures from eminent speakers changed her way of thinking.
“Selection in the programme was a turning point in my life. During WOS-C training, I received substantial exposure in handling a huge range of patent applications. I needed to prioritize my responsibilities towards family. Balancing career and family simultaneously was quite challenging. KIRAN-IPR selection under the WOS-C programme gave me the opportunity. WOS-C training boosted my confidence and helped me to nurture my dream, to be a successful IPR Professional,” she pointed out.
Having completed her training under the 11th Batch of WOS-C fellowship instituted by the Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India and implemented by TIFAC, she has been practicing drafting, filing, and prosecuting across jurisdictions and forums like Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), European Patent Office (EPO), Japan Patent Office (JPO), United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO), Russian governmental agency in charge of intellectual property Rospatent, Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO), China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA), Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property (SAIP) and Australian patents (AusPat). Her areas of patent operations include mainly Pharmaceuticals, Chemicals, and Nano-Technology.
Dr. Amita feels satisfied that she has been able to utilize her scientific knowledge through IPR despite having the responsibilities of home and family. The WOS-C training not only helped her develop IPR skills but also assisted her in finding placement at “LexOrbis – Intellectual Property Law Firm”, in New Delhi during the tough pandemic period.
“It is a very well-thought programme that provides women opportunities to return to mainstream science after a break in career and continue balancing family duties and responsibility together, without wasting the scientific knowledge gained over the years,” Dr. Amita stressed.
“After completing my Ph.D. (Chemistry), despite having worked in reputed institutions of India like CSIR, CCRAS (Ministry of AYUSH), ICMR, and IPC (Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission), I could not pursue my career as a scientist due to family responsibilities. The WOS-C programme gave me the opportunity to join the mainstream of science once again,” she added.
For more details, Dr. Amita Kumari ([email protected]) can be contacted.
