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Executive Summary |
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| In knowledge based industry (like pharmaceutical industry) the knowledge is generated in academic institutions, put in use by the industrial segment and lead to a process or product development. In present Indian scenario the linkages in these two important segments of Pharmaceutical sector has not yet taken the proper shape which is desired for better growth and there are many factors which may be attributed for the same. The objectives of the study were: |
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- Study of bottlenecks in development of such linkages
- Development of a database providing
- Academic & Industrial resources
- Research being done in Industry and Academic Institutions
- Study of industry’s manpower requirement w.r.t. nature & number for next 5-10 years
- Designing of model curriculum, systems and procedures for the academics
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| The desired information to meet these objectives was collected through questionnaires. In this study 1393 persons participated from 198 pharmaceutical industrial organizations and 345 academic and research organizations, working on different positions in their organizations. The collected information was uploaded in a systematic format on database hosted at www.aiip.info, the project’s website. |
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| Major Findings |
- Poor or almost missing academia industry (AI) linkage was observed in pharmaceutical sector. Both the elements are working separately without knowing the needs and resources of each other. The existing interaction is limited to the training of the undergraduate students in industry. Status and level of post graduate or doctoral level research collaboration or contract research is very low. Where ever research linkage exists, it is primarily due to personal contacts, the role of department or organization as a whole was negligible.
- Majority of participants (about 90 %) think that such linkages should be established in a prominent manner for better mutual growth of academia and industry.
- The major barriers found in developing such AI linkages from academic perspective were Lack of information about getting in touch with relevant industrial partners for research, insufficient equipment and facilities in academic institutions to support collaboration and differences in research objectives between Industry and Academia
- The major barriers identified in developing such AI linkages from industrial perspective were Poor equipment, facilities and infrastructure for research in institutions, Lack of information on research being done in institutions and Lack of Initiative taking people in academics
- A large population of participants (over 95 %) from academia and industry feel that there is an urgent need for development of a national database indicates research interests of the academic/industry organization, projects going on there, availability of resources etc.
- Majority of participant showed their willingness to be the part of such national database.
- Over 85 % of participants think that people from academic institutions should go to industry. (To get tuned with latest trends of industries) and vice a versa (for higher studies) for some time
- The information gathered from various organizations and human resource working in various departments at various designations was structured in an organized manner in the form of automatically updatable database. (www.aiip.info). The database could be searched as the instructions given on website. A directory of various Academic and Industry organizations and researchers that participated in the study was prepared. The prominent subjective comments from academia and industry were compiled and presented in the form of a single document. All these documents can be downloaded from project website.
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| Constraints |
- The study was conducted to meet the four objectives as mentioned, however due to certain constraints, only first two of them could be completed.
- There was no adequate responses on the research expenditures of organizations, availability of human resources in industrial organizations with respect to current status and requirement in next 5 years. Similarly in academic organizations the full details about the resources could not be retrieved.
- The sample size was 1393 from various parts of the country. Responses from major pharmaceutical companies were not up to the expected extent.
- There was subjective variation in responses. Since the responses were collected from a range of employees covering from top management to researchers working at bottom level. The opinions presented were based on individual’s response. Lesser involvement from top level was major constraint.
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| Recommendations: |
- Strong measures are to be taken to undertake massive AI linkages. Both the elements i.e Academia and industry are willing to develop such linkages. However the major constraints found were, Lack of information about getting in touch with relevant partner. A basic framework of the desired database is developed by the investigators. It is strongly recommended that government agencies (like AICTE and Pharmacy Council of India) and Industrial Organizational bodies like Indian Drugs Manufacturer’s Association and, Organization of Pharmaceutical Producers of India should take strategic measures and promote and ensures maximum participation from their work force. In this manner the database would be enriched by information that could be used to meet various objectives of Academia Industry Interactions.
- It was observed during the study that the syllabi of the academic institutions is not upgrading regularly. By the time the graduate pass out from the course the knowledge obtained become outdated and of no use. Regular up gradation of the syllabus curriculum will generate the manpower in ready to use mode that could be absorbed and utilized by industries. Industry Experts should be involved in framing the syllabus. Industry scientists should be called for examination. Academic scholars should get chance to do project in industry.
- Insufficient infrastructure and research facility was the prime barrier from industrial perspective. The academic institutions are needed to be supported financially in order to strengthen the basic infrastructure and research facilities that would be helpful in attracting the industries for research collaborations.
- It was also suggested with great emphasis that that people from academic institutions should go to industry. (To get tuned with latest trends of industries) and vice versa (for. higher studies) for some time. Henceforth strategic modifications should be taken by both academia and industry to execute such exchange.
- In academic and industrial organizations the faculty/researchers actively engaged in research and promoting such collaborations should be rewarded financially. The extent of faculty participation should build a major criterion in the promotional policies.
- Formation of joint committees of the academic and industry at different levels to evaluate the institutions interest, commitment and initiatives. No compulsions, but work for mutual academic and commercial advantage harnessing the research capabilities in both elements.
- Partnership to create centers of excellence in key functional areas with state of art infrastructure and collaboration should be established.
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