Can Humanities Be Patented? Reflections from a UGC–MMTTC Refresher Course Session
UGC-MALAVIYA
MISSION TEACHER TRAINING CENTRE (MMTTC)
Refresher
Course on "Current Trends in English Language and Literature"
(December
8-20, 2025) - ONLINE MODE
Report
On
Session
3
20th
December 2025
Topic:
“Traversing the Path of Publication of Patent in Humanities”
Submitted
to: UGC -
Malaviya Mission Teacher Training Centre (MMTTC),Refresher Course on "Current Trends in English Language and
Literature"
Dr. Kaushalkumar H. Desai
(7RC305)
Assistant Professor
Department of Humanities
ITM Vocational University, Vadodara
kaushaldesai123@gmail.com
Mo: 9033079540
The UGC–Malaviya Mission
Teacher Training Centre (MMTTC) organized a Refresher Course on “Current
Trends in English Language and Literature” from December 8 to December
20, 2025, in online mode, with the objective of familiarizing
faculty members with emerging interdisciplinary approaches, innovative research
methodologies, and contemporary academic practices. As part of this programme, Session
3, held on 20th December 2025, featured an enlightening lecture by Prof.
Sanjay Arora, a distinguished academic from the Central University of
Rajasthan, on the topic “Traversing the Path of Publication of Patent in
Humanities.”
The session was formally introduced
by Mr. Zameer Salim Sayyed (7RC286), who highlighted the academic
profile of the resource person and emphasized the relevance of intellectual
property rights in contemporary humanities research. The session was attended
by faculty members and research scholars from diverse institutions, making it a
rich platform for interdisciplinary academic engagement.
Prof. Sanjay Arora began his
lecture by addressing a widely prevalent misconception that patents are
exclusively associated with science, engineering, or technology. He argued that
the humanities discipline also holds
immense potential for patentable innovations, particularly in areas
such as pedagogical models, digital tools, cultural documentation methods,
linguistic frameworks, and creative problem-solving mechanisms. His opening
remarks effectively positioned patent publication as an emerging and
underexplored frontier within humanities research.
A
major focus of the lecture was the first
and most crucial step in the patent journey: “Finding a Problem.”
Prof. Arora emphasized that every patent begins with the identification of a
genuine, original, and socially relevant problem. He urged participants to look
closely at everyday academic, cultural, and pedagogical challenges that remain
unresolved or inadequately addressed. According to him, humanities scholars are
uniquely positioned to identify such problems because of their close engagement
with society, culture, language, history, and human behavior. This segment encouraged
participants to shift their research mindset from purely theoretical analysis
to solution-oriented inquiry.
Following
this, Prof. Arora elaborated on the question “What Can Be Patented?”, which generated significant
interest among participants. He explained the essential criteria for
patentability, including novelty,
non-obviousness, and industrial or practical applicability. Using
simple illustrations and examples relevant to humanities, he clarified that
innovative teaching methodologies, assessment models, digital humanities tools,
cultural preservation techniques, and content-delivery mechanisms may qualify
for patents if they meet the required criteria. This discussion was
particularly beneficial in demystifying patent laws for humanities scholars,
many of whom are unfamiliar with intellectual property frameworks.
The
session then progressed to a systematic
overview of the patent process, presented in a clear and structured
manner. Prof. Arora explained the stages involved in patent publication, beginning
with filing, where an
application is submitted to the Patent Office. He then discussed publication, which typically occurs 18
months after filing, making the invention publicly accessible. The next stage, examination, involves a detailed
technical and legal review by a patent examiner. This is followed by opposition, where objections can be
raised either before or after the grant of the patent. Finally, he explained
the grant stage, where the
patent is approved and legally awarded. This step-by-step explanation helped
participants gain a comprehensive understanding of the procedural and legal
dimensions of patent publication.
An important aspect of Prof.
Arora’s lecture was his emphasis on ethical responsibility and originality
in patent research. He cautioned against superficial innovation and stressed
that patentable work must emerge from genuine intellectual labor and social
relevance. He also highlighted the importance of proper documentation,
collaboration with legal experts, and institutional support in successfully
navigating the patent process.
The interactive nature of the
session allowed participants to raise questions related to feasibility,
interdisciplinary collaboration, and institutional policies on patent filing.
Prof. Arora responded patiently and insightfully, offering practical
suggestions and encouraging humanities scholars to collaborate with technology
experts, legal professionals, and innovation cells within their institutions.
The session was ably coordinated with great enthusiasm and
academic rigour by Prof. Tanu
Gupta, Deputy Director, UGC–MMTTC,
Central University of Haryana and Head, Department of English and Foreign
Languages and Dr. Shaweta Nanda,
Associate Professor, Department of English
and Foreign Languages. Their effective coordination ensured smooth conduct
of the session, active engagement of participants, and a highly interactive
academic atmosphere. They encouraged participants to raise questions and
facilitated meaningful dialogue between the audience and the resource person.
During
the interactive segment, participants,
research scholars, and faculty members raised several pertinent and
thought-provoking questions, reflecting their keen interest in the
topic. Some of the key questions included:
1. Can pedagogical models or classroom-based
innovations in humanities be patented, and what level of originality is
required?
2. How can humanities researchers balance
theoretical research with practical applicability for patent purposes?
3. What institutional support mechanisms are
necessary for literature scholars seeking to file patents?
4. Are collaborative or interdisciplinary works
eligible for patent publication in the humanities domain?
Prof.
Sanjay Arora responded to all the questions with clarity and depth, offering
practical insights and encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration. He
emphasized that innovation in humanities
need not be technological alone, and reassured participants that
originality rooted in social relevance and applicability is the key to patent
success.
The
session concluded with a vote of thanks
proposed by Mrs. Kranti Devi Lodhi (7RC23), who expressed heartfelt
gratitude to the resource person for his enlightening lecture, to the
coordinators for their effective management, and to the organizers for
conceptualizing such a forward-looking session.
In
conclusion, Session 3 on “Traversing the
Path of Publication of Patent in Humanities” proved to be an
intellectually enriching and transformative experience. It expanded
participants’ understanding of innovation, intellectual property, and applied
research within humanities, aligning perfectly with the objectives of the UGC–Malaviya Mission Teacher Training Programme.
The session successfully inspired participants to explore new dimensions of
research, creativity, and societal engagement.
Dr.
Kaushalkumar H. Desai (7RC305)
Assistant
Professor
Department
of Humanities
ITM
Vocational University, Vadodara.
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