University-Industry Collaboration:Need Analysis, Practicability and Implications in Pakistan

Muhammad Iftikhar Anjum1

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IntroductionUniversity-Industry Collaboration (UIC) leads

to development in all sectors

Theory-Practice gap needs to be reduced

Benefits for all stakeholders; intelligentsia, academia, industry, and Society

Industry: The term Industry used in research is referred to any organization, business, company, NGO, Govt organization, enterprise, business etc.

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Research ProblemAim of academic researches/

projects is learning.Students make an endeavor to

correlate theory with practice, using own links

No sustained linkage connecting students to industry during academic sessions

Fresh graduates have to re-learn many things in industry

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Research ObjectivesTo find out students’ access to

industry for theory-practice correlation

To identify Factors students consider for selection of a Topic

To identify students’ and industry’s need for UI Linkage

To Propose UIC Linkage models for SZABIST

To analyze its practicability and implications

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Literature ReviewTheories of Knowledge CreationConceptual FrameworksUIC – Practical ModelsLevels of EngagementPractical Implications (merits,

demerits, hurdles etc.)UIC in Pakistan

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RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

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Hypothesis (QUANT)H1 := Students do not have many

opportunities at SZABIST for interacting with industry during academic sessions and to correlate theory with practice.

H2: = What factors and to what level students consider for selection of a topic:◦ Learning Aspect◦ Practicability◦ Teacher’s advice◦ Literature availability◦ Convenience◦ Pass the exam.

Research Methodology

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Propositions (QUAL)

Need analysis of UIC (Grounded Theory)

Ideas for Practical UIC modelsDevelopment of UIC frameworksPractical Implications

Research Methodology

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ProcedureSurvey Questionnaire for;

◦Profile data◦Quantitative Data◦Open-ended questions for initial

qualitative dataInterviews

◦ Individual Interviews In-Person (4) Telephone (2) Email – LinkedIn (1)

Informal interactions

Research Methodology

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SamplingQuantitative – Masters/ MS, PhD

Students of SZABIST, 136 responses

Qualitative – Theoretical Sampling◦66 responses to open ended-

questions◦7 Individual interviews

Research Methodology

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QUANTITATIVE DATA ANALYSIS AND FINDINGS

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Students’ Access Level to Industry

N Mean Std. Deviation Std. Error Mean

Visits to Industry 134 3.36 2.125 .184Industry Visits to Uni 134 4.19 2.008 .173Access 134 4.42 1.660 .143Access Level 134 3.9876 1.46779 .12680

Test Value = 5t df Sig. (2-

tailed)Mean

Difference95% Confidence Interval of

the DifferenceLower Upper

Visits to Industry -8.942 133 .000 -1.642 -2.00 -1.28

Industry Visits to Uni -4.689 133 .000 -.813 -1.16 -.47

Access -4.059 133 .000 -.582 -.87 -.30Access Level -7.985 133 .000 -1.01244 -1.2632 -.7616

Null Hypothesis is rejected, as students don’t have access for theory-practice correlation

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Factors for Selection of Topics

Test Value = 3

t df Sig(2-tailed)

Mean Difference

95% CIof the Difference

Lower Upper

Learning Aspect 8.407 132 .000 .602 .46 .74

Literature Availability 6.849 133 .000 .560 .40 .72

Applicability 6.402 133 .000 .493 .34 .64

Advice 5.767 132 .000 .414 .27 .56

Convenience 4.989 132 .000 .444 .27 .62

Pass Exam -1.544 132 .125 -.143 -.33 .04

QUANT Analysis

Factors for selection of topic, Likert scale from 1-5 was used, 1 being the lowest. One sample t-test was used against a test value of 3. Test was significant for all factors except “Just to pass the Exam”

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Applicability vs other factors

Tests indicates that students select a topic for their research/ topic considering allimportant factors except just to pass the exam. Convenience is also a major factor.

Paired Samples TestPaired Differences t df Sig. (2-

tailed)Mean Std. Dev

Std. Err Mean

95% CI of the Difference

Lower Upper

1 Applicability - Advice .098 1.134 .098 -.097 .292 .994 132 .322

2 Applicability - Convenience .068 1.250 .108 -.147 .282 .624 132 .534

3 Applicability - Pass Exam .654 1.387 .120 .416 .892 5.437 132 .000

4Applicability - Literature Availability

-.067 1.132 .098 -.261 .126 -.687 133 .493

5Applicability - Learning Aspect

-.090 .848 .074 -.236 .055 -1.227 132 .222

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QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS/ SYNTHESIS

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Need Analysis for UICJoblessness and Low career growth

QUAL Analysis

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Need of Industries for UI LinkageQUAL Analysis

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PROPOSED UIC MODELS

•Social Network Platform•Structured Visits to Industry•Triple-Helix model

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Social Network PlatformUIC Models

Web/ AppAdvisor

Student

Industry Rep

Admin/ Moderator

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Structured Visits to IndustryUniversity to inform relevant industry

in-advanceIndustry to prepare their Brief for

students◦Focused on the areas or problems need

researchAll coordination to be done on the spot.One or multiple students can take a

project or researchCoordinate and carryout research

UIC Models

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Triple-Helix ModelStakeholders

◦SZABIST, Karachi + Larkana◦Sindh Govt◦HEC◦Relevant Industries◦One Engineering University◦NGOs and/ or Society Reps

Multi - Disciplinary, multi semester projects, as per need of the Society

UIC Models

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Implications: RequirementsIdentification of StakeholdersTaking them onboardEstablishment of Link or NetworkDedicating a team (Coordination

center)Formulating proceduresAgreements on Intellectual

property rightsAgreements on funding

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UIC Linkage - Framework

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Further ResearchProject/ Research for each type of

UIC models with specific stakeholders

Discipline oriented research with relevant industries

Practical development of Website or App as bridge for connecting Students, Academia and Industry

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THANK YOU