The historic William V. S. Tubman High School has emerged as the winner of Liberia’s inaugural National High School Club Intellectual Property (IP) Competition, an essential event aimed at fostering intellectual property education among the country’s youth.
The competition, which on Monday brought together five selected schools to compete for a grand prize, saw Tubman High emerge as the victor, outperforming the other participating schools.
Spiritan Academy and Maretha Preparatory High School claimed the first and second runner-up prizes, respectively, while Innovation Preparatory International Academy and St. Teresa Convent Catholic High School also participated in the event.
The competition, coordinated by the Government of Liberia in collaboration with the Liberia Intellectual Property Office (LIPO), the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO), and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), was themed “Intellectual Property and the Creative Industries: A Tool for Development.” This theme underscored the importance of understanding intellectual property’s role in driving economic and cultural progress.
Tubman High School’s triumph earned them a prize of US$1,000, with Spiritan Academy and Maretha Preparatory receiving US$700 and US$500, respectively.
The competition encouraged students to demonstrate their knowledge of copyright, related rights, and the role of intellectual property in advancing sustainable development objectives.
The Teams presented their IP Club projects through engaging presentations, role-playing scenarios, and quizzes on crucial IP subjects like copyright, related rights, and trademarks.
A distinguished panel, including IP law expert Cllr. Philip Kangar, Head of Liberia’s Ombudsman office, Zubin Cooper, Secretary General of the Musicians Union of Liberia, and IP attorney Cllr. Fanta Barclay as head judge, assessed the performances of the students in the competition.
Cllr. Barclay highlighted the quality displayed by each school in various categories, acknowledging their performances in IP project presentations, role play, and copyright, related rights, and trademark quizzes.
“We are all winners,” remarked Cllr. Barclay. “The results reflect the strength of each school’s performance across various categories, including the presentation of IP-related projects, role play, and a quiz on copyright and related rights, and trademark.”
The Importance of IP
Daniel O. Sando, Deputy Minister for Press and Public Affairs at the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs, and Tourism, emphasized the importance of educating students on Intellectual Property (IP) to enhance their understanding of how it aligns with their creativity.
He highlighted the significance of Liberia keeping up with evolving global trends, including the realm of IP. Sando, who proxy for his boss, Jerolinmek Matthew Piah, acknowledged Liberia’s previous lack of focus on intellectual property but commended the new leadership of LIPO for implementing programs, like the discussed initiative, to educate various sectors of Liberian society.
Minister Sando underlined the crucial role of starting with young people, particularly students who hold the key to shaping Liberia’s future. Given the growing talents among students and the importance of protecting their creative works for financial gain and recognition, Sando emphasized the need to integrate instructional modules on IP into the national curriculum, emphasizing the continuous engagement and training of teachers to ensure students are well-informed about IP.
As a member state of WIPO, Sando suggested that Liberia could introduce similar programs in its school systems, citing WIPO’s IP4Youth&Teachers initiative as a model that promotes IP education among youth, educators, and policymakers on a national and regional scale.
In her opening speech, Garmai Koboi, LIPO Director General, noted that the initiative is not just a standalone event; it is a cornerstone of a broader vision championed by President Joseph Boakai’s administration.
“The President firmly believes that the youth are the backbone of our nation and that empowering them with knowledge and resources is paramount for Liberia’s sustainable development,” she said. “Therefore, as we integrate intellectual property education into our schools, we are equipping our students with the tools they need to navigate and contribute to a global economy that increasingly values creativity and innovation.”
Under President Boakai’s leadership, Koboi noted, LIPO is committed to fostering an environment where ideas can flourish and inventions can be protected.
“This competition is a reflection of that commitment. It is designed to cultivate a culture that recognizes the importance of intellectual property in economic growth, cultural development, and technological advancement,” she noted. “To the teachers and mentors who have guided these students, we acknowledge your pivotal role. Your guidance has not only prepared them for this competition but has also instilled in them values that will last a lifetime. You are shaping the leaders, innovators, and visionaries of tomorrow.”
The LIPO boss added that the competition is not the end of the project; rather, it is the beginning of long-term initiatives where our young people will be more engaged, more informed, and more inspired to contribute positively to society through their intellectual endeavors.
“This commitment is the cornerstone of President Joseph Boakai’s administration’s efforts to build a nation where creativity is celebrated, protected, and transformed into tangible assets that drive progress,” she said
She lauded WIPO and ARIPO for their unwavering support and commitment, which she said have been instrumental in making the initiative a reality.
“Your partnership signifies a shared vision for a future where intellectual property rights are respected and upheld, fueling innovation and progress across Africa and the world,” she said.
As the competition’s winner, William V. S. Tubman High School will nominate the top-performing student alongside one teacher to represent Liberia in a regional competition in Zimbabwe, while another duo will participate online.
