It is essential to guide and teach intellectual property in engineering careers; this type of knowledge contributes to train engineers who are more aware and prepared to protect, commercialize and collaborate in technological innovations.

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Intellectual property is not only about protection, but also fosters entrepreneurship, collaboration and technology transfer, factors that contribute to economic and social development.

Teaching intellectual property in undergraduate engineering programs in Colombia is not common, however, more and more academic institutions are recognizing the importance of including this type of teaching, not only as a lecture, but also for the value it represents.

Many of the innovations in the faculty of engineering could result in the development of an enterprise that, in several occasions, does not contemplate the exclusivity right granted by a patent, precisely because of the lack of information or knowledge on intellectual property issues.

As stated in article 52 of the Andean Decision 486 of 2000, “The patent confers to its owner the right to prevent third parties who do not have his consent, to perform any of the following acts: manufacture the product, offer for sale, sell or use the product; or import it for any of these purposes, use the process”.

With the above, the scope of the right of a patent is marked for which the time for protection of an invention must be considered, which corresponds to 20 years if it is an invention patent, if it is a utility model patent it is only 10 years.

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Many of the projects that are carried out in an engineering faculty provide a solution to a technical problem that in many occasions can become a patent and the development of an enterprise, but the lack of knowledge in intellectual property limits the access to this type of exclusivity rights.

This knowledge should be considered as an increasingly strong subject in the teachings of engineers, since they are the people who in most of the occasions, through their knowledge and development, provide the solution to a technical problem.

On the other hand, it raises awareness about the protection of innovation, encourages technology transfer, stimulates research and development, and in many cases avoids legal conflicts.

In some cases, engineering faculties do not show this commitment to innovation and the creation of technological solutions focused on patents. If it were to be implemented, in many cases it could improve the reputation of academic institutions and, together with some companies, contribute to national development and growth.

Design thinking is a valuable tool in project management, specifically in the development of patents