Industry – Academia Collaboration

Priya M Pillai is the Head HR – Corporate, Retail & ISCM for Titan Company Limited.

The landscape of work is undergoing a rapid transformation. Technological advancements like automation and artificial intelligence are reshaping industries, demanding a workforce equipped with new skills and knowledge.?

To navigate this evolving environment, fostering closer collaboration between academia and industry is crucial. A synergy between the two will bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application, preparing graduates for the jobs of tomorrow.?

The past decade has witnessed a significant surge in industry-academia collaborations in India. It has proven to be a crucial driver of innovation, economic development, and enhanced student employability.

Several key trends which have fuelled this growth:

Government measures: The Indian government has actively encouraged these collaborations through a variety of measures. These include establishing research parks, supporting cooperative research initiatives, and providing tax advantages for corporations that collaborate with universities. This policy drive has produced an enabling environment for collaboration. In 2022-23, Department of Science and Technology (DST) sanctioned over ?500 crore (US$66 million) for collaborative research projects between academia and industry. In 2023, they reported that over 100 innovative products and technologies were developed through these projects across India in the last three years alone.

Evolving Industry Needs: Rapid technology improvements and globalization have pushed Indian industries to be more inventive and competitive. Universities, with their research knowledge and skill pool, provide invaluable resources to industry seeking solutions to complicated problems. The increased demand for innovation has prompted industries to actively seek academic collaboration. Skilling the Workforce: The Indian employment market requires a workforce that is future-ready and possesses cutting-edge technical capabilities. Universities can help bridge the skills gap by tailoring their curricula to industry requirements and providing internship opportunities. Industry partners, through workshops and guest lectures, may give students with practical experience and prepare them for the job. Focus on Applied Research: Traditionally, Indian academia prioritized theoretical research. However, an increased emphasis on applied research that is directly relevant to corporate demands has encouraged collaboration. This move enables universities to secure research money from companies while guaranteeing that their work has a concrete impact.

Rise of Start-Ups: India has become the third largest startup ecosystem globally, with over 75,000 startups as of 2023 [Source: NASSCOM Startup Warehouse]. India's thriving startup ecosystem has encouraged even more collaboration. University-provided academic skills and research facilities aid start-ups, which are often flexible and innovative. Universities, in turn, receive vital insights into developing technology and industry trends by working with entrepreneurs.?

At Titan, we have a dedicated department called Central Technology Services (CTS) which was set up about two decades ago having discerned the need for a specialised unit that goes beyond the near-term aim of sustaining and expanding. This department embraces the power of co-creation, collaborating with employees, vendors, franchisees, Tata Group companies, start-ups, universities, and research institutions.

Another such department at Titan is Center for Innovation and Technology Excellence (CITE), which provides industry leading technology solutions to transform our value chain. The work done by them has enabled 10x improvement in productivity, 3x improvement in diamond setting, 10% reduction is weight of jewellery, etc.?

We actively file patent applications to secure the future of our business. Our patentable materials ensure the longevity of traditional Kundan and Polki jewellery, preserving its intricate beauty and exquisite hand craftsmanship for years to come. We also possess the ownership of multiple trademarks and intellectual properties.?

The Titan Innovation hub set up at IIT- Madras Research Park, Chennai in 2012 is a perfect example of a successful industry-academia partnership at play. It enables Titan to leverage the specialized expertise of the faculty and students of IIT-M by utilizing their facilities.? This creates a collaborative environment through joint research projects, consulting assignments and a self-sustaining technologically fertile environment.?

While such collaboration offers numerous benefits, it also presents several challenges that can hinder successful partnerships. Some of these challenges include:

Cultural Differences: Academic and industry cultures often differ in terms of priorities, timelines, and expectations. Academia typically emphasizes long-term research and knowledge creation, while industry prioritizes practical applications and short-term results. Bridging these cultural differences requires effective communication and understanding of each other's perspectives.

Misaligned Goals and Incentives: Academics may be motivated by publication outputs and academic recognition, while industry partners are driven by profit margins, creating value for customers and shareholders and market success. Balancing these divergent goals and incentives can be challenging and may require careful negotiation and alignment of expectations.

Risk Aversion: Industry partners may be risk-averse and hesitant to invest in early-stage research with uncertain outcomes. Conversely, academics may be reluctant to engage in industry collaboration due to concerns about compromising academic independence or losing control over research agendas. Building trust and demonstrating the potential value of collaboration can help mitigate risk aversion on both sides.

Overcoming these challenges requires proactive efforts from both sectors, creating shared purpose, alignment of objectives, clear communication, trust-building, and support from policymakers and funding agencies. Despite the obstacles, successful collaboration can drive innovation, economic growth, and societal development in India. Thus, fostering a conducive environment for industry-academia collaboration is essential for realizing its full potential and maximizing the benefits for all stakeholders involved.