University-industry collaborations in Pakistan: current challenges and future opportunities

Abstract

Purpose This paper aims to identify current challenges that hinder university–industry (U-I) collaboration in Pakistan and presents future opportunities for promoting such collaborations in developing countries. Design/methodology/approach This exploratory study presents new empirical evidence obtained from Pakistan via a questionnaire survey of 24 universities, 25 interviews with key stakeholders including industry managers and outputs from a high level workshop event. Findings Although there is limited evidence of U-I engagement in Pakistan, the findings show that a lack of coordination between government, universities and industrial firms has hindered knowledge transfer between universities and industry. Such steps as utilising intermediaries to help broker effective collaborations and building trust-based relationships can help in socialising these types of scientific activities. Research limitations/implications Any overall conclusions drawn from this exploratory study can only be tentative, as the findings represent a snapshot of current U-I collaboration initiatives in Pakistan. Practical implications Less stringent policy interventions from government entities, as well as more universities willing to invite industry input on their board of studies might enable co-development of some university curriculums with industry partners. U-I collaborations could also help to boost innovation efforts in developing country firms. Originality/value This paper also offers awareness into benefits of teaching activity collaboration with industry partners, which has been an under explored area of past U-I collaboration studies. The findings should be of interest for both innovation policy and higher education policy researchers.

Enhancing graduates’ employability through polytechnic–industry collaboration

“…Policy/legal framework: A policy or legal framework is required for successful HEI–industry collaboration (Awasthy et al, 2020; Malik et al, 2021; Sjoo and Hellstrom, 2019). In this regard, all focus groups observed the absence of a clearly stated policy and legal framework detailing how polytechnics should collaborate with industry and then suggested that the government should formulate policies and laws that would stimulate, facilitate and regulate collaborative activities between polytechnics and industry:‘[…] to promote polytechnic–industry collaboration in the country, the government has a major role to play.…”

“…Similarly, industry benefits by gaining access to technological knowledge, world-class academics, obtaining answers to specific problems, enhanced R&D productivity, enhancement of reputation, financial support for expensive projects and the acquisition of competitive advantage (Gattringer et al, 2014). HEI–industry collaboration takes different forms, including joint research projects or conferences, student placements, consultancy by lecturers, research contracted to lecturers by industry, industry input into curriculum development and the training of employees in industry (Ishengoma and Vaaland, 2016; Malik et al, 2021). It has been argued that effective HEI–industry collaboration is necessary to deliver high-quality educational outcomes.…”

State of university-industry collaboration in quantity surveying profession in Nigeria

“…While Chan et al (2002) alluded to increase in revenues, higher research productivity and easy of patenting as motivation for UIC, Awasthy et al (2020) hinged on organizational commitment and availability of resources through networks as a precursor for UIC. Another area that deepens UIC is the area of staffing/academic mobility (staff exchange) (Malik et al, 2021). This relates to the movement of academic staff and researchers to the FEBE industry for a scheduled period of time to understudy the practices with a view to discovering the industry problems and be able to formulate research direction and agenda.…”

“…While UIC has gained ground, considerably, in developed economies; it has progressed slowly in developing economies (Malik et al, 2021). In this regard, there is a great concern about the collaboration between university and industry.…”

The Mediating Role of Innovation on The Relationship Between Intellectual Capital and Private Universities Performance of Pakistan

“…therefore an academic level, there must be a proper balance between research and teaching, as research is critical for faculty development and academic effectiveness (Salman et al, 2018). In Pakistan, and in most of underdeveloped countries, university-industry collaboration has grown slowly, many industrialised economies have previously encountered a situation where it took a long time for companies to recognise that collaborating with universities as a means of acquiring new scientific competencies and fresh ideas might be extremely beneficial to industrial research and development (Malik et al, 2021). The collaboration of universities and industries in Pakistan has not been adequately recognized particularly by the private sector, as a result the concept of university-industry linkage is rarely used in context of Pakistan (Bashir et al, 2010).…”