In the latest installment of the Lifelong Learning project, Yevheniia Lytvynenko, PhD, Head of the Technology and Innovation Support Center (TISC) of the Academic and Research Institute of Law of Sumy State University and Assistant at the Department of Criminal Law and Procedure, shared her professional insights and recommendations.
In her interview, Yevheniia emphasized that in the 21st century, basic knowledge of intellectual property (IP) has become essential across all professions. In the digital era, every individual creates or uses intellectual property daily — from social media photographs to software solutions or business processes. Therefore, a solid understanding of copyright, patent law, trademarks, and trade secrets is crucial for ensuring professional security and growth.
She highlighted that intellectual property is not an abstract legal concept but a practical tool that directly influences the economy, entrepreneurship, startup development, and creative industries. IP strengthens the competitiveness of individual specialists as well as entire organizations.
A key part of Yevheniia’s message concerned the importance of interdisciplinarity. The IP sphere always involves collaboration — with inventors, entrepreneurs, researchers, designers, and developers. The ability to work effectively in teams and communicate across disciplines significantly enhances the value of a specialist and opens broader professional opportunities.
Among her principal recommendations, Yevheniia outlined:
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finding one’s own specialization — patent law, copyright law, technology transfer, or innovation management;
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consistent professional development and continuous skills enhancement;
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proactivity and initiative, which she notes as crucial qualities in the IP field;
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orientation toward the international dimension — understanding the work of global organizations and international norms.
Yevheniia Lytvynenko also stressed that TISC at SumDU serves as an accessible platform supporting innovators — from conducting novelty searches and analyzing the technological landscape to assisting with commercialization and networking.
Her insights are valuable not only for students and early-career specialists but also for everyone seeking to navigate the field of intellectual property confidently and pursue a career in innovation-driven industries.
