FAQs

FAQs

• What is the program’s policy regarding Intellectual Property (IP) and confidentiality?

  The information set out below is solely for the purposes of assisting you in understanding the structure of the subject, and the reasons behind the University's approach to certain issues, particularly intellectual property and confidentiality. It does not vary or supersede the terms set out in the corresponding documents and does not constitute legal advice. It is a matter for each party to obtain its own legal advice in respect of the documents.

  We have created an Intellectual Property and Confidential Information regime designed to achieve the following:

  • Assign Project Intellectual Property (i.e. IP in the project deliverables) to the sponsoring organisation
  • Students retain ownership of all other intellectual property, notably, copyright in all assessment materials
  • Allow free communication between all the people in the room (except some visitors)
  • Create a confidential information umbrella in which everyone in the room (except some visitors) is obliged to maintain the confidentiality of everyone else’s confidential information.

  To achieve this:

  • The university enters into a Letter Agreement with each sponsoring organisation.
    • The Letter Agreement is a "Specified Agreement" under Chapter 13 of the University Statute. As such, ownership of Project Intellectual Property created under that agreement by students, staff, or appointees of the University vests in the University. Under the Letter Agreement, the University then assigns that IP to the sponsoring organisation.
    • In the annex to the letter agreement (Deed of Confidentiality), every signatory agrees to respect the Confidential Information of every other signatory.
    • All sponsoring organisations sign identical agreements.
  • The students enter into a parallel Deed in which they acknowledge that IP in the deliverables has vested in the University and in which they undertake to maintain confidentiality.
  • As noted above, students retain IP rights in their assessment materials.
• Does the mentor need to be in Melbourne to participate?

  Until the beginning of 2020, it was mandatory that mentors participated in-person.

  However, when we transitioned the program to run virtually in response to covid-19, it opened things up for mentors (and students) to participate from anywhere.

  For 2021, we are currently assuming that all classes will be delivered virtually. However, if things do open up we will move rapidly “back into the classroom”.

  If this does occur, we will deliver the class both in-person and virtually so that people who are working remotely, or in isolation, are not disadvantaged. We expect that teams and mentors will meet up in-person several times during the semester, wherever possible.

• When does the program run?

  We run the Innovation Practice Program twice per calendar year.

  • Semester 1 classes run early March – end May
  • Semester 2 classes run early August – end October

  Plus, the 2-day leadership intensive for project mentors takes place about two weeks before classes commence each semester.