Virtually perfect

With hybrid working playing such an important role, the EUIPO like other major organisations, has had to learn how to integrate digital and face-to-face meetings and training more effectively.

As part of our ongoing programme to create a Virtual Campus, we have just launched a true 21st century classroom, embracing the best of both worlds.

Our new hybrid Virtual Classroom, with high-definition screens capable of displaying up to 64 participants simultaneously, will boost our capability to deliver interactive training and hold collaborative and hybrid meetings via videoconference.

Video conferencing and digital technology have been true enablers, helping us to cope with lockdowns and face up to the other challenges of Covid-19.

While face-to-face interactions are still extremely valuable, we have found that video can also make the world more connected, even as we have had to stay physically apart.

Our Virtual Campus Programme, which predates the pandemic, is intended to centralise digital connectivity initiatives, find synergies and ultimately facilitate communication with internal and external stakeholders.

Our new hybrid Virtual Classroom will boost our capability to deliver interactive training and hold collaborative and hybrid meetings via videoconference

Other projects will improve the infrastructure and services of the Office through the creation of new hybrid spaces and the development of tools and projects that will strengthen our ability to develop staff and external stakeholders.

The launch of the Virtual Classroom also coincided with the 10th anniversary of the creation of the EUIPO Academy, and shows how much the Office, training and work have all evolved over a very short period.

We offer training to internal staff and stakeholders, the Academy Learning Portal has a great range of high quality courses, our webinars are both popular and successful, and we have state of the art traineeship programmes.

Every part of the Office has had to be creative and resilient in adapting overnight to the current crisis, but we have also learned to appreciate more some of the tools that have become part of daily life.

With the launch of the Virtual Classroom, the future has arrived and, judging by the reaction of the participants on the video wall, it’s going to be extremely useful in this new age.