Industry-University Collaborative Programs

Industry-University Symmetry. The capacity of a company to assimilate advances in research is related to the internal technical capabilities of the company. A breakdown in symmetry between the technical capabilities of cooperating companies and universities will inhibit the ability of the company to transfer innovative ideas into technology. Internal industry R D is an important component of technological innovation, and industry must maintain its investments in in-house research if it is to benefit from participation in collaborative programs with universities. Participation in such programs by industry cannot be viewed as a substitute for internal industry R D. 

It is a privilege to be part of this Chemical Sciences Roundtable program with the National Academy of Sciences. The goal of this presentation is to demonstrate that external research programs with collaborators at universities and national laboratories can accelerate the industrial research and development (R D) process. The essential criteria to realize this goal will be considered and illustrated with several examples that led to accelerated commercialization and some that did not. 

The rapid evolution of the field with many techniques and disciplines involved poses the problem of the basic education and training of the personnel. While the relationship between academia and industry is frequently examined from the perspective of research and technical collaborations, it is also important to view it in terms of supply of human resources by academia to meet the demands of industry. At this level, the educational system based on the Ph.D. programs offered by universities has taken some delay with respect to the culture of the companies. A significant effort will have to be made to fill an undoubted gap in current professional education. There is also an increasing demand from the industry for basic research in organic chemistry to develop new reactions that can be employed in HOTS. 

---