Study of thrust areas and strategy for University-industry linkage strengthening

Abstract

The link between the university and the industry is probably the most effective tool that is of mutual benefit to both parties for achieving a common goal. The university from one side can play a vital role in applying its knowledge & skills in innovation and in solving problems of value to the industry enabling them to relate more realistically to the needs of the industry and also to use back in the teaching program. The industry on the other side could benefit from the knowledge & skills of the university in order to maintain their competitive edge in the business world. The university-industry linkage would implicitly reflect most needed financial gains to both parties. The major objective of this report is to discuss the nature and scope of present university industry relationship in Sri Lanka, preliminary identification of important thrust areas in line with Government policies & priorities where university-industry could play a complementary effective role in view of local technological development and finally propose a strategy to strengthen present university focusing the department level in the faculty of engineering of UOM. A preliminary survey was carried out to study and investigate present status of university-industry linkage, to study government current industrial development plan, to identify targeted trust areas for future development in line with government plan, to recognize the main needs and come up with a strategy to strengthen university industry linkage in Sri Lanka.