【The Importance of University-Industry Cooperation and How to Enhance It The Linkage between Higher Education Sprout Project and Industry-University Collaboration】

The Ministry of Education initiated the Higher Education Sprout Project in ROC 107 (2018), dividing it into two phases with the overarching theme of connecting locally, aligning internationally, and embracing the future. The first phase (2018-2022) emphasized innovative teaching, enhancing the public nature of higher education, developing school characteristics, and fulfilling social responsibilities. The second phase (2023-2027) continues and strengthens these efforts, with a particular focus on fostering collaboration between academia and industry to promote national scientific and technological development.

The significance of industry-academia collaboration lies in assisting in solving technological bottlenecks, advancing cutting-edge research, and achieving mutual benefits between academia and industry. In the semiconductor industry, Taiwan's industry-academia collaboration, especially between TSMC and universities, has positively impacted Taiwan's competitiveness in the global semiconductor market.

Industry-academia collaboration results in a win-win situation, providing benefits to academia such as financial support, research and innovation, practical-oriented education, and resource sharing, leading to the establishment of industry-academia partnerships. For the industry, the benefits include a talent supply, technological innovation, problem-solving, resource sharing, and brand enhancement.

To enhance the effectiveness of industry-academia collaboration, active participation from university administrative units is crucial. This includes establishing collaboration departments, seeking collaboration opportunities, formulating collaboration strategies, providing financial support, and establishing communication channels. Professors should be encouraged to engage in industry-academia collaboration, and the establishment of joint research centers is recommended to facilitate a close connection between academia and industry.

However, challenges such as enrollment difficulties, time allocation for professors, and the tendency for isolated industry-academia collaboration persist in reality. Targeted solutions are needed to address these issues. In conclusion, a call to action is made, urging professors, students, and industry stakeholders to collaborate, elevate the outcomes of industry-academia collaboration, and promote the development of science and technology in our country.

【Excerpt from the issue No. 04, 2023 of TWAEA’s ePaper】