China working on master's degree program in IP studies

China is working on the establishment of a new master's degree in the field of intellectual property (IP) studies, the industry watchdog said Friday.

It is part of the country's continuous efforts to cultivate IP talent, Cao Hongying, an official with the National Intellectual Property Administration, told a news briefing. Cao said since the Chinese government approved the creation of a Master of Arts in IP in September last year, Shanghai-based Tongji University had been authorized to award doctorates in interdisciplinary IP, the country's first doctoral program in this field.

Over the past year, the IP administration has recommended candidates for education steering committees and solicited opinions on the master's degree program from 17 universities nationwide.

"We will keep the focus on the program this year to improve China's IP talent training system," said Cao.