Collaboration with Industry: from Useful Practice to Strategic Asset

Industry collaboration has become second nature for many universities. Whether through joint research, consultancy, or student placements, these partnerships deliver clear wins: they attract funding, prove the real-world value of academic work, and help hit performance targets.

These themes will take centre stage at ASTP’s 2025 Thematic Event, Academia–Industry Collaborations, now confirmed for 28–29 October 2025.

But too often, these engagements remain transactional—short-term, project-bound, and reliant on individual networks. That narrow approach can hold institutions back from unlocking the full strategic value these collaborations can offer.

At the same time, industry partnerships aren’t without controversy. Some worry they compromise academic freedom or push research in overly commercial directions. Yet this tension, rather than being a barrier, is a chance to do things better. When built with purpose and care, strategic collaborations can preserve academic independence while expanding research opportunities, strengthening institutional influence, and creating real societal impact.

Why Treat Collaboration as a Strategic Asset?

Strategic collaboration goes far beyond securing short-term funding. It can:

• Strengthen research ecosystems by connecting academic expertise to real-world challenges
• Enhance political positioning, enabling institutions to participate in national and international innovation agendas
• Support impact-driven missions, ensuring knowledge flows beyond campus boundaries
• Reinforce institutional identity, aligning external engagement with core academic values

Importantly, treating collaboration as a strategic asset enables a shift in mindset—from reacting to industry needs to co-shaping them.

Building the Right Framework

This shift requires more than motivation—it needs structure. Strategic engagement relies on internal coordination between faculties, research offices, and knowledge transfer professionals. It also demands leadership buy-in, appropriate governance, and a culture that values long-term, trust-based partnerships.

The goal is not to replace academic autonomy with commercial logic, but to create relationships where mutual benefit is intentional, measurable, and mission-aligned.

Join the Conversation at ASTP’s 2025 Thematic Event

How can universities turn scattered engagements into strategic, mission-driven partnerships? And what role can knowledge transfer professionals play in driving this shift?

These questions will be at the heart of ASTP’s 2025 Thematic Event: Academia–Industry Collaborations. Please note: the event will now take place from 28–29 October 2025, not in September as previously announced.

Join us to explore practical models, share insights, and help shape the future of academic–industry engagement.

Interested?

Discover more about the event:
• Watch our latest Tea with ASTP Webinar on the topic
• Explore an overview of the event’s themes