Academia-industry gap

The Chairman of Sindh Higher Education Commission (HEC), Professor Dr SM Tariq Rafi has highlighted the HEC’s initiatives to bridge the academia-business gap to prevent talent loss from universities and secure their products through Intellectual Property (IP) Rights. Pakistan encounters challenges in aligning with international copyright standards. Consequently, there is a pressing need for legislation to tackle issues related to IP rights in academia and research.

Despite a yearly influx of graduates across various professions and fields, Pakistan grapples with the persistent challenge of rising unemployment. A key contributor to this issue is the lack of industry-academia linkage. A notable gap exists between the skills demanded by industries and the knowledge and expertise possessed by fresh graduates, resulting in a lag in innovation and research in the country. Bridging the industry-academia gap and securing IP rights can facilitate a better exchange of knowledge and expertise. Collaboration with industries has the potential to drive research that is not only more relevant but also applicable to real-world problems. Such partnerships offer students practical experience, equipping them with skills directly applicable to the industry. This, in turn, enhances their employability and aids in a smoother transition into the workforce.

Industry partnerships create opportunities for the commercialisation of academic research. This process can lead to the development of new products, technologies or services that prove beneficial for both academia and industry. Overall, fostering collaboration and securing IP rights stand as essential steps towards addressing the existing gaps and fostering a more robust and mutually beneficial relationship between academia and industry. These steps should not be confined to specific universities or provinces; instead, they should be implemented nationwide. Pakistan’s academia needs to align with the dynamics of the constantly evolving world, creating an environment that nurtures growth and development.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, January 8^th, 2024.

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