gap between industry and academics should be bridged

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    punctuation marks here to identify the general difference between academia

    and industry of "long-term" horizon versus "short-term" horizon thinking, but

    also offer the "RISD difference" within this simple vocabulary of marks.**

    In academia there is the luxury of time. Thus when a thought might start, itdoesn't necessarily have to finish. You can begin ... and not necessarily end. It

    is this kind of open-endedness that makes academia a necessary space of free

    thought in the world. The free space is a necessary inefficiency designed into

    the academic system so that new thoughts can form in the most productive

    manner which is through the natural reinforcement of the passage of time.

    In industry we like to hear the virtues of "execution" and "getting things

    done." Got an idea? Set a target deadline. When you're done, package the

    result and move onto the next task. Don't think. Just do. And keep on doing.

    In industry it's important to be heard. Speaking up is critical for an

    individual's or idea's survival. "I can't hear you." No. I really can't. So what do

    you do? YELL. YEEEEEELLLLLL. And you still hope to get heard. By your boss, of

    course. Or even better by your boss's boss.

    In academia there's always a need to think critically. Debate is the

    starting- and ending-point for all meaningful dialogue. Got an idea? Question

    it. And question the question while you're at it. Incidentally, from my two years

    working with Becky, there are times when it appears I literally drive her crazy.

    She'll tell me, "Stop that Socrates sh*t! Give me a definite answer. Not a

    definitive question!"

    So the and the are about the long view. The and the are about

    what lives in the short term. But what does this have to do with being thepresident of RISD? Well. I've discovered a new model in which academia exists.

    I call it the world of the "Question-Period." Let me explain.

    At RISD, what I've observed in the students and faculty here is that the is

    considered to be poor form. There is no need to overstate one's case. A good

    idea simply has good value, and a critical audience will most easily recognize

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    that value when it is understated. The same can be said for the because at

    RISD there is a clear sense that work must be completed. And it can't be

    completed just on a whim. There has to be a rigorous assault at a concept and

    in its execution. A means that you've given up. So you absolutely need a

    to make a clear, defensible expression or result. And lastly, and firstly, and in

    between first and last, you must be constantly asking after because the

    work makes you think. And thinking is about asking questions. Every day I see

    folks on campus in this constant mode of Question-Period. It is one of the

    many reasons why I am proud to be here, and I am excited to introduce the

    world of business to the ever-inspiring world of RISD.

    Industry-academia interactions: Bridging the gap

    One important way of facilitating interaction between academia and industryis for teachers to take sabbatical at business organisations in their field of

    expertise. Such involvement will facilitate mutual understanding of each

    others strengths and challenges, say Alka Ahuja, Sanjula Baboota, Javed

    Aliand R K Khar

    In the third millennium, we have witnessed a lot of

    technological changes. These changes, however, have not

    been properly used by our graduates in order to compete

    in the present scenario. It is essential to have industry-

    academia interactions which will help to impart relevantknowledge and will be sustainable in the changing

    conditions.

    Academic institutes place great importance to closer interaction with industry

    and R&D organisations. At the level of industry participation in technology

    development, some interaction has been witnessed between large public and

    private sector enterprises and academic institutes. Still, industry support to

    basic research is virtually non-existent. Laboratory utilisation by industry for

    developmental purposes and for product testing has seen some success. With

    the help of continuing education programmes (CEP), participation from theindustry is gradually on an increase. The areas in which interaction is possible

    include industry support to basic research for knowledge creation, industry

    participation in technology development involving some exploratory work,

    academic intervention in solving industry problems, laboratory utilisation by

    industry and CEP.

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    Industry needs and expectations

    Large industrial houses have the resources to invest in technology

    development initiatives. Academic participation is often needed in minor

    technological innovation. Small scale industries often depend on support in the

    areas of design, process improvement and machinery performance etc. Theyalso rely on processes to yield a product which already exists. In some cases,

    problem solving may simply amount to product testing and production

    enhancement in terms of quantity and quality. In such interactions, industrys

    expected time frames have been immediate and investment is directed

    towards efforts that promise result oriented solutions.

    Academia expectations

    An academician shows interest normally in problems that are intellectually

    challenging. His areas of interest lie in technology development initiatives andmethods related to process and design improvement. Researchers have strong

    preference for working towards creation of knowledge in specialised areas. For

    industry-related problems, a researcher has to explore a variety of options

    which is time consuming.

    In academic institutions, time frame of an academician is governed by research

    guidance and teaching assignments.

    Academicians are oriented towards R&D activities of the industry for funds

    which helps them to sustain their broader research interests.

    Gap between industry and academia

    Gap between the needs of the industry and

    aspirations of academic community is very large.

    Academicians always have a strong feeling that

    unless these initiatives find a place in industrial

    sector, this interaction will be confined to only

    developmental activities. There is a strong mismatch

    in perceptions of the two on the issues related to

    technology development. At present, the academic

    community is not geared to face this challenge of

    translating evolving idea into technology

    development.

    Avenues for future

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    A support system is needed to ensure a focused involvement of both academia

    and industry. Academic institutions should develop systems and procedures to

    ensure that industry expectations are met without any compromise on

    academic aspirations. Initially, academia should conceive and take up short

    term, small budget projects which would instill confidence in industry and

    encourage it to start development projects. Industry also has to give a fresh

    look to its R&D efforts. This process must be guided by a complete shift from

    trading set up to a technologically- driven entrepreneurial set up. Academia

    should tilt the focus of basic research to applicative research. Research

    initiatives involving industry people with flexible formats could serve as the

    first step in this direction.

    Venues should be created for close interaction starting from conceptualisation

    down to commercialisation. Setting up of technology incubation centres in

    close proximity of academic institutions could provide for fostering wholesome

    technology development.

    Venues should be

    created for close

    interaction starting from

    conceptualisation down

    to commercialisation.

    Setting up of technology

    incubation centres in

    close proximity ofacademic institutions

    could provide for

    fostering wholesome

    technology

    development

    Interaction between industry and doctoral programmes

    Pharmaceutical education is a foundation on which the structure of the

    pharmaceutical industry, R&D and pharmaceutical technologies is built up by

    supplying qualified pharmacists to the industry. The interaction should begin

    when researchers are doctoral students and should continue well after they

    start their careers. Some institutions fear that if students involve in industry

    work, it might distract them from their doctoral work. But it should be

    considered as part of the education. Industry provides research topics, funding

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    and access to data for research. Industry also provides an opportunity for

    employment outside the traditional academic setting.

    The question of who holds the patent rights to a specific development is a

    major issue. Academic institutions are scared of losing patent rights to a

    particular research where industry is involved. At the same time severalacademic researchers profit from their research through business books,

    industry consulting and speaking engagements. Therefore, academic research

    and the pursuit of profit are not mutually exclusive.

    One important way of facilitating interaction between academia and industry

    is for teachers to take sabbatical at business organisations in their field of

    expertise. Such involvement will facilitate mutual understanding of each

    others strengths and challenges.

    In order to ensure that the teaching programmes and the curricula meet thechallenging needs of the industry, senior personnel from industry should be

    involved as expert members of the committees which vet changes in curricula

    as well as new academic programmes. To provide a real-life exposure of the

    industrial world to its students, a vacation training programme can be

    organised. Programme can include industrial training of faculty and students

    with a built-in provision of incentives as well as for the appointment of adjunct

    faculty from the industry.

    Provision of having honourary professors/faculty both from the industry and

    R&D organisation gives an exposure to the students of interacting with

    working professionals. Several laboratories have been sponsored by the

    industry. Softwares worth millions of rupees have been donated by Technology

    companies.

    Knowledge transfer

    The industry can hire significant number of students. This is a highly effective

    form of technology transfer. While working in the industry, students frequently

    return to universities and colleges to recruit new students.

    Industry and government research relationships

    Many researchers are working in advisory or consulting capacities with a

    number of companies. In some cases principal investigators in research hold

    positions on the technical advisory board. Large scale collaborative projects are

    also being carried out in certain institutions.

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    Summer camps

    These can be arranged in collaboration with the industry to expose the

    students to various academic and extra curricular activities. These can

    comprise a series of lectures and presentations from distinguished

    professionals from the industry and academia, video shows on some industryprojects, group discussions, debates and field trip to some industrial houses.

    These camps serve as a forum for the development of over all personality,

    leadership, organisational skills and exemplary team work which are essential

    for a successful career in addition to academic activities.

    Camps provide a platform for professionals to enrich the participants with their

    first hand experiences in the field and their professional expertise.

    Provision for scale up operation

    Most of our students develop new products or processes which are restricted

    as bench experiments. Due to non-availability of scale up processes as a result

    of capital and operational cost, the research is not able to reach the

    market.Interaction and informal tie ups can ensure successful implementation

    of work developed in the institution.

    Consultancy services

    Academic institutions can help the industrial houses by providing consultancy

    services which are sought by small-scale entrepreneurs having no access toR&D and quality control facilities. It can be in the form of evaluation of

    products, processes, software development etc.

    Important principles for industry academic interaction

    Following principles can be used as guidelines:

    a) Open academic environment: It is the responsibility of the administration,

    the academic senate and departmental faculty to establish appropriate norms

    for existence of an open environment

    b) Freedom to publish: Freedom to publish is fundamental to the university

    and is a major criterion for the research project. Faculty should be encouraged

    to engage in outside projects. These at the same time, should not interfere

    with their performance of teaching and research duties.

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