We are proud to announce that our colleague Julia Hammes has been awarded the prestigious Susan Helliwell Memorial Award for her outstanding performance in the 2026 Qualified Patent Information Professional (QPIP) certification examination. The award is presented annually by the International Standards Board for Qualified Patent Information Professionals (ISBQPIP) to recognize exceptional results in the QPIP examination. This year, the board exceptionally decided to recognize two outstanding candidates: Julia Hammes from Uppdragshuset and Robin Burgers.
The QPIP certification is an internationally recognized qualification for patent information professionals, demonstrating expertise in patent searching, analysis, and the effective use of patent information. The examination covers a broad range of theoretical and practical skills and takes place over two full days. Established in 2021, the Susan Helliwell Memorial Award honors one of the pioneers behind the QPIP certification initiative and her dedication to advancing professional standards in patent information.
Reflecting on the achievement, Julia says:
„One of the challenges of an exam like this is that it’s difficult to judge your own performance afterwards. I certainly had my doubts when I finished, so receiving this award was completely unexpected. It makes the recognition all the more meaningful.“
13 Qualified Patent Information Professionals at Uppdragshuset
Julia’s achievement is not the only reason for celebration this year. We are also delighted to congratulate our colleague Karina Niskanen, who successfully obtained her QPIP certification in 2026. With Julia and Karina joining the ranks of certified professionals, Uppdragshuset now proudly counts 13 QPIPs among its team, more than any other patent search firm!
This milestone reflects our strong commitment to continuous professional development, maintaining the highest standards of expertise, and delivering world-class patent information services to our clients. At Uppdragshuset, we believe that investing in our people’s knowledge and professional growth is essential to providing the quality, reliability, and expertise our clients expect. The achievements of Julia and Karina are wonderful examples of this commitment in action.
Congratulations, Julia, on this exceptional recognition, and congratulations to Karina on achieving her QPIP certification! We are incredibly proud of you both!