Industry Collaboration in Engineering Graduate Studies

Here are several points highlighting why engineering Ph.D. scholars can benefit from industry-based internships during their doctoral studies: ♟️Practical Application of Research: Industry internships provide Ph.D. scholars with the opportunity to apply their theoretical knowledge and research skills to real-world problems. Scholars can see firsthand how their research can have practical applications in an industrial setting. ♟️Interdisciplinary Learning: Working in an industry setting often involves collaboration with professionals from various disciplines. Ph.D. scholars can gain exposure to interdisciplinary approaches, enhancing their overall skill set and understanding. ♟️Networking Opportunities: Internships offer scholars the chance to build a professional network within the industry. Networking can lead to collaborations, access to resources, and potential career opportunities post-Ph.D. ♟️Industry-Relevant Skills: Exposure to industry practices helps Ph.D. scholars develop skills that are directly applicable to the needs of the job market. This can include project management, teamwork, communication, and an understanding of regulatory and business aspects. ♟️Real-World Challenges: Industry internships expose scholars to the challenges faced by companies on a day-to-day basis. Solving these challenges can inspire new research ideas and help tailor existing research to address practical issues. ♟️Validation of Research Relevance: Engaging with industry validates the relevance of a Ph.D. scholar's research to real-world problems. It helps in aligning research goals with the current needs and trends within the industry. ♟️Access to Resources: Industries often have state-of-the-art facilities, equipment, and data that may not be available in academic settings. Ph.D. scholars can leverage these resources to enhance the quality and scope of their research. ♟️Industry Mentorship: Working closely with industry professionals provides scholars with mentorship from experienced individuals. This mentorship can guide the scholar's research, offer practical insights, and facilitate professional development. ♟️Improved Job Prospects: Industry experience enhances a Ph.D. scholar's marketability in the job market. Employers often value candidates with both academic expertise and practical experience. ♟️Understanding Industry Expectations: Exposure to industry practices helps scholars understand the expectations and requirements of potential employers. This knowledge can guide the scholar in tailoring their research to meet industry standards. In summary, industry-based internships during a Ph.D. program offer a valuable bridge between academic research and real-world applications, providing scholars with a well-rounded and practical skill set for future endeavors.

After 35 years in industry , I'd like to share my perspective on UGC's recent decision allowing direct PhD enrollment after a 4-year bachelor's degree. While expanding educational opportunities is commendable, I have some concerns about this approach based on my industrial and academic experience. 1. Research Quality: Direct PhD enrollment, while efficient, may not yield the depth of research we need. My experience shows that understanding real-world challenges is crucial for meaningful research. 2. The Value of Industry Experience: I've consistently seen those 2-3 years of industry exposure helps researchers:  o Identify practical problems worth solving and Understand implementation challenges o Build valuable industry networks and also Develop project management skills o The Industrial Connect: Modern PhD research should ideally: Address specific industry requirements and Focus on product development or process improvement and also Include substantial hardware implementation or detailed case studies. Bridge the academia-industry gap • Retain entrance examinations to ensure research aptitude and Make 2-3 years of industry experience preferred, if not mandatory • Strengthen industry-academia collaboration in PhD programs and Encourage research problems sourced from industrial challenges While the UGC's initiative to expand PhD access is progressive, we must balance accessibility with research quality. A PhD should contribute to both academic knowledge and industrial advancement. What are your thoughts on this balance between academic qualification and practical experience in doctoral research? #HigherEducation #Research #IndustryPerspective #PhD #Innovation #UGC #STEM #RnD #IndustryAcademia #Engineering #ResearchAndDevelopment #ProductDevelopment #HigherStudies #Education #AcademicResearch #IndustrialResearch #CareerGrowth #ProfessionalDevelopment #Leadership #Manufacturing #Technology #IndianEducation #Skills #Mentoring #ExpertOpinion #IndustryInsights #CareerAdvice #PhDLife #Academia #ResearchCommunity #AICTE

What if we stopped treating university-SME collaboration as a “nice to have” and started treating it as economic infrastructure? A new report from CSIRO and the University of Queensland reveals what actually happens when small and medium enterprises (SMEs) work with universities and research institutions (URIs). The results are compelling. Collaborations between SMEs and URIs are widely acknowledged as drivers of innovation. But this report digs deeper, asking: what’s the real commercial payoff for the firms involved? Based on a survey of 201 Australian businesses across diverse sectors and regions, Commercial Outcomes of SME–Research Collaboration analyses three types of engagement: 🔹 Facilitated dollar-matched programmes 🔹Competitive grants 🔹Student placement programmes The findings? 🔹66% of SMEs reported new or improved products—clear evidence that collaboration brings ideas to market. 🔹Prototypes, independent validation, and derisked R&D were common outcomes, especially for early-stage firms. 🔹Facilitated, entry-level collaborations delivered outcomes nearly on par with large, competitive grants—but with smaller budgets and greater accessibility. 🔹Regional SMEs outperformed their metro counterparts across nearly all dimensions, from innovation to credibility to market expansion. Sectoral insights are equally striking: 🔹Medtech and biotech firms focused on R&D derisking; 🔹Manufacturing and digital tech SMEs reported strong product development outcomes; 🔹Energy businesses used partnerships to validate solutions for market credibility. In New Zealand, we often underinvest in the connective tissue that makes innovation happen. This report shows that well-designed, fit-for-purpose collaboration programmes can unlock capability, especially for regional and smaller firms. The message is clear: industry-university collaboration is a catalyst. And in an economy where resilience and diversification are more important than ever, we can’t afford to overlook it. https://lnkd.in/gTHhRiBQ

🚀 New Publication on Chemical Product Design Education! 🎓 Warren Seider led a year-long study by the CACHE Design Task Force to examine how and why product design should be taught more broadly in chemical engineering programs. 🌟 Key Highlights: -A survey of ChE design instructors -Comparison of product vs. process design teaching -Course models from top institutions -Integration of sustainability, LCA, AI/ML, and industry collaboration -Actionable steps to modernize curricula 🧠 Coauthor Contributions: Saad Bhamla (Georgia Tech) – Curriculum innovation tied to UN Sustainable Development Goals Jennifer Dunn (Northwestern) – Integrating life cycle assessment and GREET modeling Mahmoud El-Halwagi & Faruque Hasan (Texas A&M) – Simulation and process design integration Tobias Hanrath & Kathleent Vaeth (Cornell & Qualitrol) – Industrial mentorship and prototype testing John Hedengren (BYU) – Experiential product design with real-world industry challenges Laura Hirshfield, Elaine Wisniewski & Nina Lin – Dual-track senior design with lab-built prototypes Christos Maravelias (Princeton) – Design integration across renewable systems and research Minnie Piffarerio (Colorado State) – Team-based projects with 60+ external advisors Stuart Prescott & @Patrick Spicer (UNSW Sydney) – Product engineering focus for pharma and food Todd Squires (UC Santa Barbara) – Formulated product design for soft materials Cristina Thomas (formerly 3M) – Industry-academia collaboration for project-based learning Jean Tom (formerly Bristol Myers Squibb) – Bridging product and process design in pharmaceuticals Victor M Zavala (Wisconsin) – Vision for AI-driven design and innovation 💡 Warren brought this team together to explore a central question: Why is product design still the exception rather than the rule in ChE curricula and what can we do to change that? We hope this article sparks curriculum development, collaboration, and innovation in the next generation of chemical engineers. Join the conversation! Publication link: #ChemicalEngineering #ProductDesign #ProcessDesign #ChE #CACHE #EngineeringEducation #AIChE #FOCAPD #Sustainability #LCA #CurriculumReform #ActiveLearning #AIinEducation #ChemicalProductDesign

In the power industry we need to talk about research and technology development. As I go to conferences and stay abreast of the research in the industry I’ve noticed that there seems to be a disconnect between the challenges we face in the industry and the direction of research in the field. Today we’re facing challenges with inverter based resources, large loads, system resilience, handling extreme events, and increasing system complexity. However a lot of the research I see doesn’t seem to be focused on these issues. There’s a lot of work on AI, refinement of mostly solved technologies, and research without many applications. If the work is about improving some AI model from 95% to 96% with a 3000% increase in cost then that typically isn’t a viable solution. The same goes for incremental improvements to solved technologies. A minor improvement in say transformer efficiency isn’t going to be enough for the industry to reorient supply chains. There needs to be more thought on the engineering tradeoffs we face around cost, scale, supply chains, and regulatory needs. While research is future looking and may not be directly applicable today, there shouldn’t be done just to publish and not be useful. Now those of us in the industry may be able to help. There needs to be greater collaboration between industry and researchers. We need to connect research to the problems industry is facing and those that are coming. I’d urge those in research to stay close to industry to see where the problems are at. To do this industry and researchers need to work together to develop a technology development pipeline from academia and research labs to industry. I think we could all benefit by deepening collaborations. This could be done with industry serving on advisory boards for labs helping to select research problems, more industry participation in conferences where they showcase the problems they are facing, and by having companies directly support research and technology development. Additionally having students in Masters and PhD programs do internships would expose them to problems the industry is seeing. Lastly getting students into the field would help them see the physical infrastructure we work with and expose them to a new dimension of the field. While there is always a lot of research on AI and new fancy technologies we also need to make sure we’re continuing with the more fundamental power systems research. This could be in developing better power system simulators and planning tools, developing better device models for short-circuit/dynamics/EMT programs, doing better testing and characterization of grid equipment, developing new measurement techniques, and better operator tools. Now I’m curious as to what everyone thinks about this? What problems are we missing and do you see a disconnect?

Bridging the Gap: The Importance of Interaction with Students and Industry-Academia Connect In today’s fast-paced and evolving world, the synergy between industry and academia has never been more crucial. Establishing a strong connection between students, academic institutions, and industry leaders ensures that the future workforce is well-prepared, skilled, and adaptable to meet real-world challenges. Why Student Interaction Matters: Fostering Curiosity and Innovation: Interacting with students allows industry professionals to share insights about emerging trends, challenges, and opportunities. This not only inspires innovation but also fosters curiosity, encouraging students to think beyond textbooks and explore practical applications of their knowledge. Bridging the Skill Gap: Industries often highlight a gap between academic curricula and industry expectations. Through meaningful interaction, professionals can guide students on essential skills, tools, and technologies, making them industry-ready and helping to align academic learning with professional requirements. Encouraging Holistic Development: Students benefit greatly from engaging with industry leaders as they gain exposure to problem-solving, teamwork, communication, and leadership—all essential qualities for thriving in a professional environment. Mentorship and Career Guidance: Industry interaction provides students with real-world perspectives on career paths, growth opportunities, and challenges, helping them make informed decisions about their futures. Professionals can act as mentors, offering valuable advice to shape their aspirations. The Role of Industry-Academia Connect: Collaborative Learning: A strong industry-academia connect creates a collaborative ecosystem where knowledge flows in both directions. While academia contributes research and innovation, the industry offers practical insights, market trends, and challenges that inspire new solutions. Internships and Live Projects: Industry partnerships enable students to gain hands-on experience through internships, live projects, and case studies. This experiential learning is invaluable for developing real-world problem-solving skills. Curriculum Enhancement: Regular interaction with industry ensures that academic institutions can update their curriculum to incorporate new-age technologies, practices, and tools, making education more relevant and future-ready. Research and Development: Collaboration between academia and industry fosters cutting-edge research and development, encouraging the co-creation of innovative products, processes, and services that benefit society as a whole. ISSM Business School Babu Thomas R Ranjith Kumar Arumugaraj

Learning Rapidly: Insights on the Future of Engineering Education In a recent conversation, we had the privilege of speaking with Dr. Jacqueline El-Sayed, who recently joined SAE International after leading the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE). As industry and academic leaders grapple with the rapid pace of technological change, her insights on the future of engineering education and workforce development are particularly timely. “Technology is changing so rapidly. We really need students and faculty to be out there in the real labs where industry is doing their work… immersive-type learning, experiential learning is great for everyone. You can see a real collaborative between industry, education and students” Listen in to the latest episode of Engineering the Future Workforce as we talk about digital transformation and its impact on shifts in engineering education. "When you have [AI] tools that are so powerful, the human side of the engineer becomes paramount because the ethics of what those tools are used for…the machine doesn’t have that.” Engineering associations and membership societies play a vital role as communities of practice, driving change and ensuring the relevance of engineering curricula. As we discussed credentials, Jackie highlighted the ABET quality assurance process as a strong example of industry-academia collaboration, with representatives from all the major engineering societies appoint evaluators to learn and inform the criteria and review programs. One of the most important competencies Jackie identified for future engineers is the ability to learn rapidly. Students today have been online and active in a global community from a young age. “They’re digital natives, meaning the digital connectivity is part of their identity. It’s a language they are very adept and comfortable in.” This vision of the future, where AI serves as a catalyst to personalize and accelerate learning, has exciting implications for engineering education. As industry and academic leaders collaborate on workforce readiness and development, embracing innovative approaches and strengthening industry-academia partnerships is crucial. Read the recap: https://lnkd.in/gPfs7nan. Shannon O'Donnell #EngineeringEducation #Academia 

Industry Involvement in Higher Education: A Collaborative Future Companies need graduates with the right skills, and universities must ensure their programs meet these demands. By working together, they bridge the gap between education and employment. Higher education is no longer just about lectures and textbooks—it’s about preparing students for real-world careers. In the UAE, the Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA) has introduced an outcome-based evaluation framework, which requires universities to work closely with industries. The industry collaboration in this framework has a weighting of 20%. This collaboration is essential not just for the development of the curriculum but also for preparing students for the real world. At the same time, global professional accreditation bodies like AACSB and EQUIS and many others emphasize the importance of industry collaboration in teaching and curriculum development. Industry involvement in higher education can take many forms. Universities are encouraged to engage with businesses and organizations through various activities. Some of the key ways industries can get involved include: guest speakers and lecturers who provide real-world insights and practical knowledge that are often missing from traditional academic settings; joint research projects which allow universities and industries to work together to solve current problems; forming advisory committees that include industry experts which can help institutions develop relevant curricula that meet the needs of the job market; and finally internships and work placements which provide students with opportunities to intern or work with companies that can bridge the gap between theory and practice which allow students to apply what they’ve learned in real-world situations, making them more attractive to future employers. The benefits of industry involvement in higher education are numerous. For students, it can lead to better job prospects, as they graduate with skills that are highly valued by employers. For educational institutions, it improves the quality of education and enhances their reputation. Furthermore, industries benefit by having access to a well-trained workforce that meets their needs. Some industries may hesitate to engage with universities due to time or resource constraints. Solutions include: -Government incentives for companies that partner with universities. - Long-term collaboration models (e.g., research centers, sponsored labs). Fostering strong ties between higher education institutions and industry is crucial for the growth and development of both sectors. As universities continue to adapt, the involvement of industry will play a vital role in shaping the future of education. Please share your experiences about the involvement of industry in higher education. #HigherEducation #IndustryInvolvement #Education #ProfessionalDevelopment #Collaboration Abu Dhabi University Khulud Abdallah