Alumni stories

Mgr. Marián Jankovič, LL.M., Ph.D.

"I often joke that I owe my decision to study law to my mother, but I owe the opportunity to pursue it and shape its future direction to the institutions that made it possible. One such institution is the Faculty of Law at Masaryk University in Brno and its doctoral programme, Intellectual Property Law. Enrolling in this programme allowed me to further develop my passions - copyright law and photography. Despite the specialized nature of my research, I was granted generous opportunities to pursue it, both in the Czech Republic and abroad.

The Faculty of Law at Masaryk University collaborates closely with specialized university institutes abroad, as well as globally respected experts in the field of intellectual property law. These established connections enable students to engage with international peers and professionals and, importantly, to participate in research stays abroad.

Moreover, the programme’s carefully curated selection of courses provides not only a comprehensive overview of intellectual property law but also thorough preparation for academic research. The scheduling of programme’s courses allows students to balance their studies and research alongside their current professional careers. A significant advantage of the programme is that it is conducted in English, ensuring global recognition of students’ research and publications.

Beyond academic knowledge, the professionals behind the programme offer something equally valuable: the encouragement and motivation that students - regardless of their age - often need. Whether it involves support during challenging life situations, guidance for research stays and conferences abroad, participation in projects and publications, or progress on a doctoral thesis, students can always rely on the lecturers’ support, respect and professionalism.

Some decisions, in hindsight, profoundly shape one’s life. For me, enrolling in the Intellectual Property Lawprogramme was undoubtedly one of them - an experience that has been transformative in the best possible way."

“Doctoral studies are a journey. It may be a longer trip, but the views are undoubtedly worth it. Choosing to pursue my Ph.D. in Intellectual Property Law at Masaryk University was a decision I’ll never regret. The experience exceeded my expectations, and I would make the same choice again in a heartbeat.

Masaryk University was always my clear choice for a Ph.D. for its supportive environment provided by the faculty, particularly the Institute of Law and Technology. Furthermore, the program’s singular focus on intellectual property law is a rarity. Rather than spreading my attention across all aspects of law and technology, I had the chance to immerse myself deeply in one specific topic.

The program is designed to offer maximum freedom. No matter how unconventional my ideas were, my supervisors were always there to support me and let me test them. Instead of following rigid coursework, my semesters were centered around my own research projects. I had the opportunity to engage with renown academics and visit global conferences. Moreover, the excellent network enabled me to have readers for my dissertation from universities in Japan and Israel.

It doesn't matter where your interest lies within the field of intellectual property. This program allows you to pursue your topic to its full depth and beyond. The program is open to creative thinkers and interdisciplinary approaches that may be too dynamic for other institutions. If you're looking to satisfy your intellectual curiosity, this program is the ideal choice. Ultimately, the Ph.D. title at the finish line is just the cherry on top.”