In order to make our graduating Engineers ready for industries, there ought to be an interaction between the two, i.e. interaction between the institute & the industry. It is a well accepted issue.

In spite of the realization that Industrial Organizations (Manufacturing and Services) need to collaborate closely with Academic Institutions (Universities and Professional Colleges) for survival in this fast paced global environment , in India there is a long divide that is practically existing between the two. In this article, a critical examination of some of the major problems of these I.I.I. phenomena are addressed and a few practical solutions are offered.

What is the need of I.I.I.?

In the present information society, Academic Institutions become custodians of knowledge-networks with global leverage. As the shelf-life of knowledge is becoming short, there is a great need for the Organizations, as users of knowledge for markets, to interact closely with Institutions. The following examples illustrate the benefits of I.I.I.:

* Majority of the developments in Computer Technology credited to the Silicon Valley Corporation, U.S.A. are the result of the R&D efforts of Stanford University , U.S.A. , which also had the distinction of producing Nobel Laureates in the field.

* The software used for mining in Sweden has been developed and implemented by a university in Sweden, which also produced many Ph.D.s in the field.

* In the years 1965-70, big Japanese steel and glass manufacturing industries decided to switch-over to HiTech and Electronics as a growth strategy. The total program of training Managers and Technicians for the migration of existing Industries was carried-out under the guidance of Tokyo and other Japanese University Faculty members.

* Carbon-fiber, the latest material for Aero and Space applications, was developed in the Hamburg Technical University (which this Author visited in 2005), Germany, entirely sponsored and funded by M/S AIRBUS Corporation. Many Professors and Research Faculty are involved, working on the latest manufacturing and testing equipments for this huge Project.

There are a few examples of I.I.I. in India which are of recent origin.

* Indigenous development and pilot-manufacture of a special technology machines for Rapid Prototyping (a CAD/CAM process), was developed by P.S.G College of Engineering, Coimbatore, and I.I.T. (Chennai) successfully.

* The Project to plan and develop suitable Mass Transport System for the next decade to reduce Traffic problems in Metro Cities is entrusted to I.I.T.s Kanpur, Delhi and Rourkee as an inter-disciplinary Project by the Government of India.

Most of the Developed Countries in U.S., Europe and Asia have long realized the need for I.I.I., and implemented it fully. As a consequence they are enjoying its fruits of being the global leaders in many fields. As far as India is concerned except for a few cases as cited above, this phenomena is still being only debated and not implemented.

Some of the possible reasons for the lack of initiative from Industry

* Industry in India, whether Public or Private Sector, does not look beyond their established “Foreign Collaborators” for solving their existing problems or for new developments.

* Indian Industry is not sure of the existing capabilities / infrastructure of Indian Academic Institutions for assisting them.

* Often, Industry Leaders and Policy Makers, due to their other preoccupations, do not get enough time to find the latest developments taking place in several fields globally. These are easily accessible to Universities through Books, Journals, specially through Conferences and Seminars.

* Industry is not sure of the ‘Confidentiality’ of the process, once it is entrusted to the Universities.

* Industry expects specific, ‘time-bound, financially viable practical solutions’ but they are not realizing the academic wealth in the form of research (papers) from academic institutions.

* Due to the prevalence if huge unemployment  situation in almost all job areas need does not arise for industry to make special efforts to hunt  for candidates. This is also one reason for the industry to back out seeking university assistance to improve industry functioning.   

* Industry feels that it is the responsibility of Academic Institutions to supply qualified and suitable candidates for their needs.

Some possible reasons for Institutions not pursuing serious Interaction with Industry

 * There is no compulsion for the Academic Institutions to establish rapport with Industry. Due to the large rush for seats in Professional courses, the Governing bodies of the Institutions need not make special efforts for rapport with Industry. All that is needed is, after starting the college with meager infrastructure, to run the college to the satisfaction of the bureaucracy of the affiliated University, at the lowest expenditure.

* The objective of the Institute Management is only to teach the subjects as per the prescribed syllabus and prepare them for the examinations conducted by the University. Preparing them for “Jobs” is not their concern.

* Most of the Universities are run by the funds granted by Governmental agencies. Naturally, they are controlled by the bureaucracy and not by the needs of the Industry.

* Professors are rewarded for longevity and conformance to regulations than for merit, productivity or creative research. They have no option except to toe the line of management and bureaucrats governing the university.

* The Faculty members are mostly busy setting question papers, conducting examinations and evaluating them in the Semester system. They have little time for I.I.I. and improvements.

Some possible common reasons for the lack of I.I.I.

* Ego problems of each in accepting guidance, direction or participation in joint development.

* Large difference in remuneration between Industry and Academic Institutions, for equivalent qualifications and experience. This makes mutual cross-movement of persons very difficult.

* Non-availability of suitable ‘authoritative Forums’ to bring them together.

A few suggestions for promoting effective I.I.I.

* Large Industrial Groups should start and manage Professional Institutions. Birla Institutes of Technology at Pilani and Ranchi, P.S.G. College of Engineering at Coimbatore, Bajaj Institute of Management are a few examples of successful I.I.I.

* The Top administrative body (Senate, Board of Governors etc.) of every University should have active members from Industry to advice and guide the policies, courses and syllabi. Similarly, Industry should appoint University Professors as Consultants / Advisors.

* Industry should finance and create a chair for Professors in the fields useful for them in Institutions, to assure serious academic Research.

* Institution Faculty should be given tangible incentives for conducting useful Research. For example, giving permission to use half to one day per week (on non-teaching days) for Research or consultation outside college, to extend free administrative and other help, give permission to attend Seminars and Conferences at the Institutional cost , promotions and rewards for Faculty excelling in I.I.I., encouraging Faculty to become members of Industry Professional Associations that promote development etc.

* Industries should be encouraged to select their future employees from among the students early in their second year of the professional course, and industry & institute share the responsibility to train them during the remaining years of college study.

* Accreditation or Grading of Professional Institutions on the basis of acceptance of their students by Industry for employment.

* Compulsory appointment of capable Liaison Officer with proper emoluments at each Professional Institution to make I.I.I. effective. They will organize training programs, Project work, Lectures and Seminars for colleges. They can also help in finding Resource faculty for Executive Development Programs for Industry from Institutions. This can be further supplemented by establishing “I.I.I. Cell” to give proper image.

Conclusion:

The slogan for University Professors has been “Publish or Perish “. In the current challenging environment, I.I.I. inspires the new slogan for Industry and Academic Institutions: “Innovate jointly or perish”.