Mar Gregorios College of Law (MGCL), Thiruvananthapuram, in collaboration with the CSIR–Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL), New Delhi, and the Centre of Excellence in Systematic Documentation of Traditional Knowledge related to Plants used for Food, AYUSH & Indigenous Medicine, KSCSTE–Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute (JNTBGRI), is organising a Two-Day Workshop on “From Heritage to Innovation: The Effectiveness of sui generis Systems for the Protection of Traditional Knowledge.”
The workshop will be conducted in hybrid mode on September 23–24, 2026, at Sophia Hall, Mar Gregorios College of Law.
About the Workshop:
The workshop focuses on the legal and policy dimensions of traditional knowledge protection, particularly the effectiveness of sui generis systems within the framework of Indian Knowledge Systems.
The programme seeks to enhance awareness regarding traditional and indigenous knowledge and its relationship with culture, biodiversity conservation, agriculture and healthcare.
It also examines the existing Indian and international legal frameworks governing traditional knowledge, mechanisms for preventing biopiracy, and approaches to traditional knowledge access and benefit sharing.
The workshop will further explore the role of institutions such as the Traditional Knowledge Digital Library, Folklore Academy, research institutions and biodiversity boards in protecting traditional and indigenous knowledge from exploitation and misuse.
An experiential-learning component is also included, with a visit to JNTBGRI and a visit to a settlement of the Kani Tribe, Vithura.
Programme Objectives
According to the brochure, the workshop aims to:
- Understand the evolving domestic and international legal frameworks for the protection of traditional knowledge.
- Examine the practical implications of access and benefit-sharing mechanisms and their contribution to sustainable development.
- Enhance experiential understanding of traditional knowledge, intellectual property rights and benefit-sharing mechanisms.
- Develop informed perspectives on policy reforms and innovative mechanisms for safeguarding traditional knowledge while promoting sustainable development.
- Analyse the role of the Traditional Knowledge Digital Library, Folklore Academy and other research institutions in protecting traditional knowledge and the Indian Knowledge System.
Key Themes:
The workshop will cover issues including:
Traditional Knowledge & Intellectual Property Rights
Sui Generis Protection Systems
Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL)
Biopiracy and Defensive Protection
Access and Benefit Sharing
Traditional Cultural Expressions and Cultural Appropriation
Biodiversity, AYUSH and Indigenous Medicine
Indian Knowledge Systems
Resource Persons:
The workshop features experts from the fields of intellectual property, traditional knowledge, folklore and botanical research:
Prof. (Dr.) Bismi Gopalakrishnan
Professor & Head, School of Indian Legal Thought, MG University
Topic: Strengthening the Legal Protection of Traditional Knowledge: Assessing the Effectiveness of India’s Sui Generis Framework
Mr. P. V. Lovelin
Program Officer, Kerala Folklore Academy
Topic: Protecting Folklore and Traditional Cultural Expressions in the Era of Cultural Appropriation
Dr. (Mrs.) Viswajanani J. Sattigeri
Scientist H & Head, CSIR–Traditional Knowledge Digital Library Unit
Topic: Traditional Knowledge Digital Library: A Global Model for Defensive Protection of Traditional Knowledge
Dr. Vinodkumar T. G. Nair
Senior Scientist, JNTBGRI
Topic: Systematic Documentation of Traditional Knowledge related to plants used for food and medicine with special reference to IPR and ABS
Date and Mode
Dates: September 23–24, 2026
Mode: Hybrid
Venue: Sophia Hall, Mar Gregorios College of Law, Thiruvananthapuram
Registration Fee:
The brochure specifies the following registration fees:
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| MGCL Participants – Offline | ₹500 |
| External Participants – Offline | ₹600 |
| Online Participants | ₹300 |
Registration is through the Google Form provided by the organisers. The brochure also provides a separate payment facility for registration fees.
Registration Form:
Register for the Workshop
Queries: tkworkshop@mgcl.ac.in
Organising Committee:
The workshop is organised under the patronage of His Beatitude Dr. Baselios Cardinal Cleemis, Major Archbishop-Catholicos, with the leadership of the college administration and faculty coordinators.
Faculty Coordinators:
- Ms. Sushma George Mathew — +91 9895148315
- Dr. Lekshmi Gireesh — +91 85475 71916
- Ms. Kripa Prasad — +91 99466 39024
Student Coordinators:
- Mr. Jyothis Jose — +91 9207935529
- Ms. Pallavi Arun — +91 9745932727
- Ms. Hridiya — +91 831068739
About the Organisers:
Mar Gregorios College of Law, established in 2012, functions as a centre for legal education, research and professional development.
The Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL) is a digital repository documenting India’s traditional knowledge, particularly knowledge relating to medicinal plants and formulations associated with Indian systems of medicine. The brochure highlights its role in preventing the wrongful grant of patents over knowledge already in the public domain.
The KSCSTE–Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute (JNTBGRI) works on conservation, research and systematic documentation of traditional knowledge relating to plants used in food, AYUSH and indigenous medicine.
Who Should Attend?
The workshop would be particularly relevant for:
- Law students and researchers
- Intellectual property law scholars
- Academicians
- Practising advocates
- Researchers working on traditional knowledge and biodiversity
- Students and professionals interested in IPR and Indian Knowledge Systems
- Researchers working on AYUSH and indigenous medicine
- Professionals interested in access and benefit-sharing mechanisms
The Two-Day Workshop on “From Heritage to Innovation” offers an interdisciplinary platform to examine how traditional knowledge can be protected through effective legal, institutional and policy mechanisms.
With discussions on sui generis protection, intellectual property rights, traditional knowledge documentation, biopiracy, access and benefit sharing, alongside experiential visits, the programme is particularly relevant for those working at the intersection of law, IPR, biodiversity and Indian Knowledge Systems.
Interested participants can register for the September 23–24, 2026 workshop through the registration form provided by the organisers.
Registration: Register Now
For more details refer the official brochure:
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