University-industry Partnership in the Vanguard of Knowledge-Driven Economy

László Szentirmai, László Radács 
(Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, University of Miskolc, Hungary)

Abstract: The words volt, ampere and watt are named after emblematic figures of university and industry and are in common parlance among people. And what is more, the current International System of Units gave many great names to derived measuring units. The 5–10 year-long strategic partnership is top priority for elite universities. This most creative and promising collaboration ensures big and common strategic goals, and shared research vision. New knowledge generated by alliance modernizes university role and industry long-term strategy. Diverse engineering culture serves as brake but could be overcome by both parties when criterion is excellence. Trend is twofold: either richer benefits are given to fewer universities and/or universities in emerging economies are also to flourish. Operational partnerships — the second type — are based on joint research projects utilizing both the core academic strengths of universities and the core research competence of industry. Research projects on professors’ own initiatives and students’ individual research projects all pave the way for achieving strategic partnership. Transactional partnership — the third type — puts significant impact on teaching and learning. Key criteria include multidisciplinary institute on campus with industry contribution, even culture and curriculum and multidisciplinary approach to research. These criteria together with industrial practice for academics and students lead also this link to strategic collaboration. The paper presents the important role of university-industry partnership in knowledge-driven economy emphasizing achievements and weaknesses. Case studies, examples and trend with genuine figures illustrate the topic the world over.

Key words: university-industry partnership, knowledge-driven economy, indicators for partnership evaluation, strategic partnership, operational partnership, transactional partnership, three-mission university