Over the past few years, the collaboration between education and industry in India has experienced a profound evolution. There is clear progress in forging partnerships. There is an uptrend in industry-sponsored research projects, an increase in internship participation among graduates, and there is evidence of the positive impact of work-integrated learning experiences. Together, these are shaping a promising path for the future. However, amid these advancements, substantial bottlenecks pose signifi cant challenges that need to be addressed. These include but are not limited to intellectual property sharing limitations and long time periods for concluding collaboration agreements.
The key statistics and insights shared in the following paragraphs underscore the need for more robust collaboration frameworks and streamlined processes to harness the full potential of industry-academia partnerships.
POSITIVE DEVELOPMENTS
Let’s delve deeper into the encouraging advancements that exemplify the upward climb of the collaborative journey between industry and academia in India.
Recognition of Value of Hands-on Experience and Skill Development: There is an acknowledgment that collaborative research initiatives, internships, and student exchange programmes offer valuable practical experience and skill-building opportunities, improving graduates’ chances of fi nding employment as per a 2018 report of MHRD. Employer Preferences for Industry Experience and Skills: NASSCOM’s 2020 study shares that a substantial percentage of employers (70%) seek graduates with industry experience and relevant skills.
Employment Prospects for Work-Integrated Learning: Graduates equipped with work-integrated learning experiences exhibit a signifi cant advantage. As per the World Economic Forum’s 2021 fi ndings, they are 30% more likely to secure employment within just 6 months after graduation. Promising Growth in Industry-Academia Collaboration: There is a marked positive momentum in industry-sponsored research projects undertaken by Indian universities. It has shown an impressive surge, up by 25% over the past 5 years, as per DST’s 2023 report.
Increased Internship Participation: Statistics from AICTE in 2022 reveal a substantial uptick in industry internships, with over 50% of Indian engineering graduates actively engaging in at least one internship during their academic tenure.
Success of Startups with Industry Experience: Startups initiated by university graduates equipped with industry exposure are evidently fl ourishing. NASSCOM’s 2022 data indicates such startups boast a remarkable 40% higher success rate than others.
Productivity Boost through Collaborations: Industries actively engaging in university collaborations are reaping notable benefi ts. As per the Confederation of Indian Industry’s 2021 fi ndings, these partnerships have led to a signifi cant 15% increase in productivity and innovation.
Impact of Industry-Academia Partnerships: Industry-Academia collaborations have contributed to the development of over 100 innovative products and technologies within India over the last 3 years, according to DST’s 2023 report. Government Support for Collaboration: The Indian government’s recent allocation of a ₹500 crore budget to bolster industry-academia collaborations in emerging technologies, as outlined in the Union Budget of 2023, is a promising stride in promoting industry-academia partnerships.
IDENTIFIED BOTTLENECKS
Despite these positive developments, identifi ed bottlenecks pose signifi cant challenges to this collaborative growth. Insuffi cient University Liaison Offi ces: AICTE’s 2020 report suggests that only 15% of Indian universities have dedicated industry liaison offi ces (ILOs), limiting proactive engagement.
Low Contribution to R&D Expenditure: Industry-academia collaborations contribute to only 1% of R&D expenditure in India, exhibiting an underutilisation of potential resources as per a 2019 study by DST.
Lack of Mechanisms for Intellectual Property Sharing: Assocham in its 2020 report categorically mentioned that intellectual property rights concerns and complex agreements discourage collaboration, hindering potential progress. In another analysis in 2023, it mentioned that a mere 20% of Indian universities have formal mechanisms in place for sharing intellectual property with industry partners.
Time Taken for Collaboration Establishment: The extended duration required for industry-academia collaborations to materialise hinders their formation. The average time for establishing such partnerships in India is currently 12 months, much longer than countries like the UK and Singapore, as highlighted by the World Bank’s 2022 report.
Industry-academia collaboration in India narrates a tale of promising growth intertwined with identifi able challenges.
There is an urgent necessity for coordinated actions in creating dedicated liaison offi ces, enhancing communication channels, and improving collaboration frameworks. By addressing these hurdles, India can amplify the impact of industry-academia partnerships, which will promote innovation, improve employability, and strengthen its global position in research and development.
