2025 I Registries of Patents, Designs & Plant varieties: Atticus Ting Shi Ern

An Eye-Opening Journey at IPOS

Five months ago, I walked into IPOS, with little preparation but a willingness to learn and an open mind. Moreover, I had never worked in the public service before, and the world of intellectual property was entirely foreign to me.

What followed turned out to be one of the most formative experiences of my life.

One of the most unexpected highlights was being thrown into the deep end of international diplomacy. Shortly after joining in January, I was tasked with helping to prepare for the ASEAN Patents Task Force (PTF) and the ASEAN-Japan Patent Experts Meeting — a regional gathering involving delegates from across ASEAN. From confirming flight arrangements to sourcing meeting venues under tight timelines, I quickly learnt that event management at this level requires detailed and swift planning and improvisation. Nothing quite prepares you for the reality of last-minute changes but understanding and navigating them was deeply satisfying.

Beyond the logistics, observing the meetings themselves was equally eye-opening. Watching delegates from across the region share their countries' perspectives and practices, as well as how they work through agenda items together gave me a greater appreciation of how international discussions are conducted — something I couldn't have fully appreciated without being in the room.

Closer to home, I also had the opportunity to lead stakeholder engagement efforts, by co-organising a joint event for IP practitioners alongside colleagues from the Trade Marks division and the Patent Search, Examination and Analytics (SEA) unit. Coordinating across departments with different priorities and timelines sharpened my collaboration skills in ways I didn't anticipate and taught me the value of clear communication when working under pressure.

On the policy side, I dived into desktop research on comparative IP regimes — understanding what different jurisdictions permit or restrict, and how they are responding to the rise of AI. This was perhaps the most intellectually stimulating part of my internship. AI and patents is a rapidly evolving space, and tracing how various IP offices around the world are grappling with questions around AI-generated inventions gave me a genuine appreciation for how rich and contested this field already is.

None of this would have been possible without the people around me. I am especially grateful to my supervisor Qinyi, who guided my policy work with patience, brought me into meetings that stretched my thinking, and genuinely invested in my growth. To Debra, who was my anchor through the PTF preparations and taught me how to navigate international engagements with confidence — thank you. And to Daphne, Ada, Ailing, and Fang Hui, who welcomed me across departmental lines and helped me find my footing — your generosity made all the difference.

I came in not knowing what to expect. I'm leaving with a much broader worldview, a deeper appreciation for the quiet but vital work of IP governance, and a lot of excitement for what comes next.