2025 | Partnership & Programme Department: Muhamad Diniy Fitri Bin Mohamad Zuraimi

More Than IP, It was the People

When I first joined IPOS, I felt a mix of curiosity and uncertainty. Intellectual Property was something I knew existed, but not something I had ever worked with in depth, and stepping into a new sector naturally came with some doubts. On top of that, I joined during a particularly busy period, right in the middle of preparations for IPOS’ annual flagship event, IP Week. With everyone juggling multiple responsibilities and timelines moving quickly, I wondered whether it would take some time to find my footing.

What helped ease that uncertainty was the people around me. From the start, the department made a conscious effort to guide me through unfamiliar areas, check in on how I was coping, and ensured that I never felt left out on my own. Even during the busiest moments, there was patience, encouragement, and a willingness to help explain to me things that I might not understand. That support, paired with the trust placed in me, gave me the confidence to take on responsibilities that felt genuinely meaningful.

During IP Week, I learnt what it meant to contribute behind the scenes. I supported the IPOS booth at the IP Marketplace, helped coordinate speaker details, and double-checked content on display panels. I also had the opportunity to help conceptualise quizzes and door gifts (a very nice penholder) for the booth. Watching something that began as a planning discussion turn into a physical item that someone can pick up and use was quietly satisfying, and it reminded me how small ideas, when carried through carefully, can become tangible outcomes. I was also exposed to the less visible but equally important aspects of organising a large-scale event. I supported registration work by managing attendee lists and ensuring invited guests were properly accounted for. I was also involved in curating food options for the conference at Marina Bay Sands and making sure the secretariat room was consistently well stocked. These details may not stand out on their own, but being involved in them showed me how thoughtful planning shapes people’s experience in subtle yet important ways.

Beyond IP Week, I was given the space to explore ideas and work on a research project that eventually became part of the foundation for World IP Day 2026 planning. I was part of the organising committee as a creative ideator. This included working on early concepts and video ideas for Minister Edwin Tong, which pushed me to think more carefully about how messages can be communicated clearly, differently and meaningfully.

I was also trusted with work that required navigating ambiguity. Within the department, I explored the use of AI tools to improve internal workflows, working with tools such as Plumber and developing a simple bot to improve accuracy within team processes. The challenge lay not just in the technical aspects, but in understanding existing workflows and translating operational needs into workable solutions. This experience strengthened my ability to approach complex problems methodically while remaining adaptable.

Throughout my internship, there was no single defining proud moment. Instead, it was the consistent feeling that my contributions mattered and were appreciated. Most of all, what made this experience special were the people. The team was kind, thoughtful, and genuinely interested in me not just as an intern, but as a person. I leave IPOS feeling grateful, quietly proud of what I was part of, and thankful for the opportunity to learn in such a supportive environment.