University-industry Partnerships Research Articles

UK Learning Alliances

This article provides an overview of recent developments in the UK aimed at building learning alliances between universities and other higher education institutions, and employers. It begins by reviewing briefly the fuller range of types of linkages which can and do exist between higher education and industry, and what is driving them, and then focuses more specifically on teaching and the curriculum. The article exemplifies something of the plethora of effective linkages being developed in the UK, paying particular attention to the University of Warwick model, and discusses the factors which make success more likely. It also discusses the costs and benefits of linkage programmes for the interested parties. The article concludes by raising a variety of key issues which are currently presented by university—industry partnerships, and in the light of this discussion sets out some thoughts on future prospects for linkage programmes. While these latter speculations are made for the UK, it is likely that they will be relevant for many other countries undergoing similar sea-changes concerning the nature of work and training.

Concurrent Cooperative Education

The author discusses the concept of postgraduate cooperative education as a model for creating university–industry partnerships, linking industrial and university research, and increasing industrial productivity and national competitiveness. The model is presented against the background of the current trend in Canada to increase the employability of college and university graduates by blending work and study activities within a formally structured academic curriculum.

Involving Postgraduates in University—Industry Partnerships

The Australian Postgraduate Awards (Industry) Scheme is a government initiative in its fourth year of operation. Its objectives are to build a long-term relationship between higher education institutions and industry through research undertaken by PhD and Masters research students on projects related to industry needs, and to prepare high-calibre students for industry and/or research. This article puts the Scheme in its policy context, and summarizes the major findings from surveys of the participants – the academic and industry partners, and the students themselves. Their views are presented on: the Scheme's capacity to stimulate new linkages; its benefits and the constraints; facilities and resources on campus and company sites; and satisfaction with supervision arrangements under the partnership.

US university-industry partnerships in high-temperature superconductivity

For decades, US industry and academic institutions have formed special relationships, borne out of their mutual dependencies. For the most part, these relationships have been arms-length ones — companies have helped to finance new facilities, scholarships or faculty positions at universities, and universities have trained and developed professional staff for industry. Most major universities have well established programmes for industrial liaison, and similarly most major companies have established university-relations programmes.

University-industry partnership in research

This paper reviews major university-industry partnerships with specific attention to food science and technology. Included in this discussion are the types of research support that industry provides to universities and interdisciplinary areas with special funding potential. The paper also discusses the role of government, of food industry organizations, of scientific societies, and of scientific advisory committees in developing priorities for initiating or expanding research programs.

National science foundation experience with university-industry centers for scientific research and technological innovation (an analysis of issues, characteristics and criteria for their establishment)

Indications are that industry underinvests in innovation in terms of the ultimate benefits to the firm and society. Using N.S.F, experience as a basis, this article examines some of the issues that arise when government, the university, and industry interact in a cooperative cost sharing effort for stimulating technological innovation, as well as examining criteria and characteristics for establishing those university-industry partnerships that are most likely to succeed.