“Imagine a cake. Academia focuses on perfecting the recipe, while industry cares about how it tastes and looks,” said Marieke Palm, brilliantly summarising the core challenge of industry-university cooperation. The analogy set the tone for an engaging discussion exploring why and how such partnerships can thrive despite inherent differences.
It is more and more seen as a core aspect of universities’ evolving third mission — engaging with industry not just as a ranking requirement or an extra money source, but as a strategic necessity. The session brought to light the intricacies of collaboration, including mismatched timelines, contrasting goals, and the delicate balance of intellectual property management.Our fourth webinar series explored the critical topic of publication ethics in higher education, focusing on how ethical considerations can reshape university structures. Amid recent scandals, such as data falsification cases involving prominent academics, the discussion emphasised that ethical breaches reflect deeper systemic issues, exacerbated by the drive to climb global rankings and the resulting international scrutiny.
- Universities gain funding, exposure to real-world challenges, and insights that shape postgraduate training.
- Companies benefit from access to high-level talent and cutting-edge equipment as well as truly independent academic expertise.
Clearly, there are some considerable challenges. Universities often focus on fundamental research, while industry seeks rapid results and market-ready products. Speakers stressed the importance of trust, flexibility, and clear contracts to bridge these gaps.
In a world of changing societal needs and shrinking public funding, universities must redefine their roles. Cooperation with industry not only helps institutions stay relevant but also strengthens their ability to provide practical skills to students.
Evgeny Pidko underscored the risks of falling out of sync with industry trends, warning that universities risk obsolescence if corporate training programs outpace academic offerings. He also highlighted that working with industry unlocks access to proprietary knowledge — insights often not published in academic journals.
Marieke Palm discussed the mutual advantages of cooperation, particularly in subsidy-driven projects that require partnerships. However, she noted the challenges, including the infamous “valley of death” that startups face when transitioning from research to market.
Both speakers agreed that rankings should not dictate partnerships; instead, cooperation must be guided by shared goals and mutual benefits. Success hinges on building trust, adapting to different work cultures, and fostering long-term collaboration that benefits both academia and industry.
One take-home message:
Industry-university partnerships aren’t just a checkbox for rankings — they’re essential for staying connected to the real world and ensuring mutual growth.