IDENTIFICATION OF BARRIERS AFFECTING UNIVERSITY INDUSTRY LINKAGES AND SUGGESTED MEASURES FOR ITS IMPROVEMENT.PDF

Abstract

Universities play very important role in economic development of any country. In fact, it is said that universities are central players in an economic system. Countries are putting their efforts to make their economy technology/knowledge-based to achieve desired levels of economic growth. Economic growth based on technology is directed by a number of factors and their integration in the economy. It has become an important issue in the national agenda how to get the universities to better contribute industrial sector. Outcome of university research may be transferred to industry in several forms like i.e. seminars, training, patenting, licensing, start-up companies and spin-off firms etc. Transferring of academic research results to industry is considered as a vital factor for the industrial growth. Being highly educated segment of society, responsibility of creating awareness and then fostering these linkages rest with the universities. Therefore, in this thesis research an effort is made is to analyze/identify the characteristics and forms of the existing industrial linkages in our universities and barriers inhibiting these linkages and suggest viable measures to enhance and foster its effectiveness. An exploratory research technique was adopted to conduct this research. A survey questionnaire having three parts pertaining to existing industrial linkages, barriers and improvements was structured to seek primary data. Both close and open ended questions were incorporated in the questionnaire. Secondary data was obtained from journals, annual reports and web sites. A survey of 69 departments (engineering disciplines) of 15 institutes of higher education was conducted. An overall stock of our higher education, economy and university industry linkages is taken. In 60 years history of Pakistan, it was only last eight years when higher education of Pakistan took a number initiatives and made significant achievements. Through Medium Term Development Framework HEC evolved a sustainable vision and strategy to pursue its future plans. HEIs has increased from 59 in year 2000 to 124 in year 2008 and student enrolment has grown from 135,123 in year 2001-02 to 316,278 in year 2007-08. Research publications has increased from 815 in year 2002 to 3,640 in year 2008, which is a significant improvement. On economic front there is long history of failures mainly due to political instability, weak institutions and poor governance. Our exports always, except few times, remained lower than imports resulting in to trade deficit thereby causing burden on already weak economy. HEC iii Identification of barriers affecting university-industry linkages and suggested measures for its improvement took few measures to link higher education with economy as an engine of economic growth. However, Initiatives like University Industry Technology Support Programme (UITSP), University-Industry Interaction Project and Collaborative Research Projects with CSF did not produce any significant results. In world context, Pakistan’s performance remained on extreme lower side of curve by obtaining 101 places out of 134 countries in Global Competitiveness Report 2009. Literature provides an evidence of the fact that with out strong university industry linkages dream of innovation, competitiveness and sustained economic growth can not be fulfilled. To have effective university industry linkages a through understanding of mechanisms like consultancy, contract research, collaborative research, spin offs, science parks and technology incubation centers is essential. In this regard role of Industrial Liaison Office or Technology Transfer Office is vital. Research results indicated that only 21% interaction with industry was made by industrial liaison offices and 53% interactions were made by individuals. Only 28% departments had formal collaboration agreements with industry. Informal interactions with the industry were quite significant in the form of workshops and seminars with a score of 73% and 78% respectively. Adequacy of lab equipment for teaching purpose was 80% where as its adequacy for research was only 58%. Factors like lack of entrepreneurship spirit, time constraint due to heavy teaching and administrative work load, existing university norms and procedures and lack of interest on part of industry to collaborate with universities were rated as severe barriers to university-industry linkages To establish and foster university industry collaboration, a number of recommendations have been made for all stake holders. Measures like setting up of effective and functional university liaison offices, encouragement of industrial visits by academics and students, giving publicity to university activities relevant to industry, tax concessions for companies collaborating with universities, revision of curriculum in consultation with industry professionals and making university policies and procedure which encourages entrepreneurship could be very effective.