epi Students Mentoring Pilot Programme
1. Definitions
1.1. The Programme
The goal of the epi Students Mentoring Pilot Programme (“the Programme“) is to offer mentoring to epi Students (“Students“). It aims to provide them support in their first steps in the profession of a European Patent Attorney including inter alia providing recommendations on general EQE preparation, developing of professional skills and career development.
The Programme is not meant to replace formal training or to provide professional assistance or supervision of the Students. The Programme is not meant to include tutoring or coaching for specific EQE papers, it is intended for general informational and mentoring purposes only.
1.2. epi Working Group for the Mentoring Pilot Programme
There is an epi Working Group for the Programme who will be responsible for the management of the Programme including matching Mentees with Mentors.
1.3. The Mentee
Any “Student” accepted onto the Programme becomes a “Mentee”.
1.4. The Mentor
The Mentor is a qualified European Patent Attorney, that is, an epi Member, who is willing to mentor a Mentee.
1.5. Mentoring
Mentoring is the act or process of helping and giving a general advice to a less experienced person.
Neither epi nor the Mentor provides legal, professional or exam-related advice. Any guidance given in the context of the Programme is of a non-binding and informal nature.
2. Registration for the Programme
Any Student wishing to participate in the Programme should register via an online form provided by epi. The deadline for registration will be defined by epi and made publicly available via the epi website and the epi Newsletter. Students will be admitted to the Programme after evaluation and depending on the number of available places.
The Student must inform their supervisor of their intention to participate in the Programme. The supervisor needs to opt-in to the Programme, so that the Student can participate.
3. Basic principles
After successful registration of the Mentee for the Programme, the Mentor will be assigned to the Mentee by the epi Working Group. The Mentor may be assigned to more than one Mentee depending on the availability of the Mentor.
The matching between the Mentee and Mentor may be altered by the wish of either the Mentor or the Mentee on a case-by-case basis.
4. Responsibility of the Mentor
The Mentor will be tasked with answering the questions of the Mentee and with providing recommendations regarding general topics within the European Patent Profession as well as the general preparation for the EQE.
The Mentor is not expected to provide tutoring or personal coaching related to specific EQE papers to the Mentee.
The Mentor is encouraged to contact the epi Working Group in case of any misunderstanding between the Mentor and the Mentee on the scope of the Programme or otherwise.
5. Responsibility of the Mentee
The Mentee will be responsible for scheduling meetings with their assigned Mentor.
The Mentee should advise the Mentor as soon as possible if they are no longer available for the scheduled meeting.
In exceptional circumstances, the Mentee may request to be matched with a different Mentor during the Programme.
6. Meetings between Mentor and Mentee
The suggested frequency for meetings between the Mentor and the Mentee is monthly for the period of six months and the timing of the meetings should be arranged by the mutual consent of the Mentee and the Mentor.
The frequency and timing of meetings can be altered on agreement by both the Mentor and the Mentee. On agreement by both the Mentor and the Mentee additional monthly meetings can be arranged after the period of six months up to a total of nine months.
7. Language
The Programme including the introductory meeting and meetings between the Mentor and the Mentee is conducted in English. Upon explicit request of the Mentee the epi Working Group will attempt to assign the Mentor speaking one of official languages of the Contracting States. This assignment is not guaranteed.
8. Timeline
The Programme will run for a period of six months starting on a date defined by the epi Working Group.
9. Termination
The Mentor and the Mentee can terminate their participation in the Programme by informing the epi Working Group at any time.
In case the Mentor exits the Programme, the epi Working Group will attempt to find a substitute Mentor for the Mentee.
If either the Mentee or the Mentor fails to schedule or attend any meetings for a period of one month without prior notice or explanation, the Programme terminates for the respective party. In such cases, the epi Working Group should be informed.
10. Costs
The participation in the Programme is free of charge for the Mentee.
The Mentors provide their services on a voluntary basis.
11. Conflicts
The Mentor and the Mentee are obliged to inform epi of any existing or potential conflicts immediately.
12. Confidentiality and data protection
The Mentor and the Mentee shall maintain their existing professional obligations with respect to confidentiality. Any personal information shared during the Programme shall also remain confidential.
Personal data of Mentors and Mentees will be processed by epi for the purpose of administering the Programme, including matching Mentor and Mentee on the basis of legitimate interest.
13. Exclusion of liability and indemnity
To the extent permitted by applicable law, epi, the epi Secretariat, the epi Working Group and the Mentors shall not be liable for any loss or damage arising out of or in connection with the Programme or any interaction between Mentor and Mentee.