Exploring New Models of University-Industry PartnershipsA WPI Case Study

Stephen FlavinVice President, Academic and Corporate Developmentsflavin@wpi.edu

The Evolving Model at WPI

Academic and Corporate Development

• Demonstrated Success in Corporate and Professional Education (CPE)

• Academic Deans and New Opportunities

• Creation of Academic and Corporate Development Division

Corporate Engagement Expectations

Academic and Corporate Development

•Higher levels of service

• Access to multiple points of contact

• Proactive assistance in connecting with faculty, students and university resources

• A coordinated approach to interaction

Different Approaches for Different Places

Academic and Corporate Development

• Development Centric

• Concierge Centric

• Startup / Tech Transfer

• Research Focus

• Corporate Centric

Metrics of Success

Academic and Corporate Development

• Increase the number and frequency of beneficial interactions with industry for faculty, students and alumni

• Increase in the total investment and commitments from industry to campus as measured through resources, including gifts, sponsored projects/research contracts and revenue generated through services

Specific Examples

Academic and Corporate Development

• WPI’s Biomanufacturing Education and Training Center

• Significant increase in sponsored projects, research and gifts.

• Broader and deeper relationships with identified key relationships – Top 12

Enablers and Challenges

Academic and Corporate Development

• Incentives – individual, department and school

• Alignment with academic priorities

• Information – data integrity, collection and ability to share

• Institutional support – there is an investment!

What models are working at your institution?

How is “Comprehensive Corporate Engagement” achieved at your institution?

THANK YOU!Stephen FlavinVice President, Academic and Corporate Developmentsflavin@wpi.edu