2016年-世界发展银行全球_Promoting_University-Industry_Collaboration_in_Sri_Lanka___Status_Case_Studies_and_Policy_Options_101页_2mb

Summary of Promoting University-Industry Collaboration in Sri Lanka

Core Content

This report, Promoting University-Industry Collaboration in Sri Lanka: Status, Case Studies, and Policy Options, analyzes the current state of university-industry (U-I) collaboration in Sri Lanka, identifies key trends, and suggests policy reforms to strengthen such partnerships. It is aimed at policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders involved in higher education, research, and innovation. The report includes case studies from four leading Sri Lankan universities and draws on survey data from 2015 and 2007 to highlight changes over time.

Main Findings

• Importance of U-I Collaboration: Strong links between universities and industry are crucial for skills development, knowledge innovation, and the commercialization of research. These collaborations help improve corporate competitiveness and support sustainable economic growth.
• Current Status: U-I collaboration in Sri Lanka is characterized by short-term, informal interactions with limited knowledge transfer. However, there are emerging examples of strategic, long-term R&D partnerships.
• R&D Investment: Sri Lanka's R&D investment in 2010 was SL Rs 8,778.6 million (US$69.4 million), representing 0.16% of GDP. This is lower than many comparable countries, such as Thailand (0.21%), Malaysia (0.64%), and Singapore (2.43%).
• Industry Involvement: In 2010, only 11% of R&D expenditure was carried out by universities, compared to 45% by government research institutes and 44% by business enterprises. The percentage of university departments receiving external funding has remained stable, but the share from industry has increased.
• Constraints: Universities face challenges such as heavy academic workloads, inadequate laboratory facilities, and lack of proper mechanisms for collaboration. Industry perceives the main barrier as the absence of effective collaboration frameworks and a lack of awareness of university research capabilities.
• Case Studies: Four universities—Peradeniya, Colombo, Wayamba, and Moratuwa—were highlighted for their experiences in U-I collaboration, including success factors, funding models, and implementation challenges.

Key Trends

• Increasing Interest: Both universities and companies are becoming more interested in and willing to finance U-I collaborations.
• Shift in Focus: There is a growing emphasis on deeper collaboration types, such as joint R&D, prototype testing, and spin-offs, although these remain relatively rare.
• Comparative Analysis: The 2015 survey data show a trend toward more structured and strategic collaboration, compared to 2007.

Policy Options and Recommendations

The report outlines several policy recommendations to enhance U-I collaboration in Sri Lanka:

• Upgrade Research Infrastructure: Implement a national plan to improve research infrastructure in line with national innovation priorities.
• Strengthen R&D Funding Schemes: Develop and expand funding mechanisms for joint university-industry projects, drawing on international experiences.
• Modernize Legal and Institutional Frameworks: Update the University Act of 1978 and financial management rules to better support U-I partnerships.
• Define Intellectual Property Rules: Establish clear intellectual property (IP) rights frameworks for publicly funded research to promote innovation and commercialization.
• Establish Open Innovation Spaces: Create technology transfer offices and business incubators at universities to foster innovation and entrepreneurship.
• Enhance Mobility and Engagement: Encourage greater mobility of students and faculty between universities and companies, including opportunities for master's and PhD students to work on industry-related projects.
• Facilitate Mutual Board Memberships: Promote mutual representation on university and company boards to enhance understanding and cooperation.
• Develop a Web-Based Database: Create a centralized, up-to-date database to provide information on Sri Lanka's science, technology, and innovation activities.

International Good Practices

The report references successful U-I collaboration models from other countries, such as:

• Malaysia's CREST: A research and development matching grant program that supports university-industry collaboration.
• B.V.Bhoomaraddi College of Engineering and Technology: A model that fosters an entrepreneurial culture in engineering education.

Conclusion

Promoting university-industry collaboration is essential for Sri Lanka's transition to an upper-middle-income country. While current collaboration is limited and informal, there is a growing recognition of its potential to drive innovation and economic growth. Strengthening the policy framework, improving infrastructure, and enhancing institutional mechanisms are key steps toward achieving this goal.

Key Information

• Survey Data: Conducted in 2015 and 2007, the survey included 165 academic departments and 80 companies across various sectors.
• Focus Areas: The study covers R&D investments, innovation performance, and collaboration types.
• Target Audience: Policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders in higher education and innovation.
• Document Type: A policy report by the World Bank in collaboration with the Higher Education for the Twenty First Century (HETC) Project.
• ISBNs:
  • Paper: 978-1-4648-0922-4
  • Electronic: 978-1-4648-0923-1
• License: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 IGO (CC BY 3.0 IGO)

Appendices

• Appendix A: Case studies from four universities, detailing their experiences with U-I collaboration.
• Appendix B: 2015 survey methodology and questionnaires.
• Appendix C: Summary of the stakeholder workshop held in January 2016 in Colombo.

Authors

• Deepthi C. Bandara: Senior professor at the University of Peradeniya, consultant on World Bank-assisted higher education projects.
• Mohamed Esham: Professor at Sabaragamuwa University, with research interests in agribusiness and university-industry collaboration.
• Kurt Larsen: Senior education specialist at the World Bank, with experience in education and innovation policy.
• Ranmini Unantenne: Manager of career guidance at the Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology, previously involved in the HETC project.