Writing a Research Proposal

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INDUSTRY-ACADEME LINKAGE IN HIGHER LEARNING
PRESERVING ACADEMIC AUTONOMY THRU SYSTEMATIC
SYMBIOSIS (How does a clownish seek refuge from
a poisonous anemone without getting
stung?) Magandang Araw! Selamat Pagi!
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INDUSTRY-ACADEME LINKAGE IN HIGHER LEARNING
PRESERVING ACADEMIC AUTONOMY THRU SYSTEMATIC
SYMBIOSIS Rumel V. Atienza Department of
Industrial Engineering, De La Salle University,
Manila, Philippines atienzar_at_dlsu.edu.ph
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INTRODUCTION

• Two decades ago, engineering graduates in the
  Philippines were deemed by practitioners to be
  inexperienced on technologies and work
  environment of the industry.

DLSU's College of Engineering (COE) deemed it
necessary to institutionalize the efforts of
industry and academe to make graduates quality
world-class through provision of industry-based
activities.
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• COE established the Industry-Academe Linkage
  Center (Linkage) in May 1987 to spearhead efforts
  of COE and industry to continuously improve the
  quality of engineering graduates via job-site
  activities
• The Linkage was manned by 6 faculty members
  reporting to a board of industry representatives
• Its initial task was to convince companies from
  the Philippines top 100 to be members by signing
  a memorandum of agreement, accommodate the
  Linkages requests for activities, and provide
  stipends to on-the-job-trainees.

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In the first 2 years, most student activities
were limited to plant visits conduct of
industry-based term projects. .
By 1989, the first set of 32 Manufacturing
Engineering and Management seniors had their
one-year OJT Years later, activities expanded
to faculty OJT, joint researches, consulting,
training, curriculum development and funding.
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With heavy reliance on industry support,
financially otherwise, concerns pertaining to
academic autonomy surfaced . How has the
Linkage strengthened this relationship with the
industry yet upholding freedom from arbitrary
intervention?. How does a clown fish seek refuge
from a poisonous anemone without getting
stung?)

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THEORETICAL FOUNDATION
In Europe US, some universities had offices
under alumni development office or office of
research external relations that formalized
tie-ups with various companies. Boston
University's IUCR Program establishes research
centers that get funding from the National
Science Foundation and industry
members. Loughborough University has long-term
partnerships with companies of all sizes,
including Ford, Rolls Royce and JCB.
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RESULTS OF THE EXPERIENCE Features

• After 20 years, Linkage grew in size scope
• Membership
• grew from 10 to 170.
• All sizes and shapes, Asia-wide
• Student Activities.
• OJT 2-unit 1-term (3 terms for MEM). 600 OJT/ yr
• Thesis. 3-unit 3-term. 50 theses 150
  students/yr
• Term project. 150 projects /yr
• Other student activities.
• Other Cooperative Activities expanded
• faculty OJT
• joint research
• consulting, training/education of company
  employees,
• sharing of expertise
• fund raising

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RESULTS OF THE EXPERIENCE Benefits to Academe
Linkages growth benefited the academe Processing
times reduced Job placements became
productive Graduates reputation
improved Socio-environmental awareness
deepened Assistance poured in
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RESULTS Benefits to Industry
Linkages growth benefited the industry Systems
improved Productivities increased Hiring
facilitated Socio-environmental concern
deepened Became globally competitive
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PRESERVING ACADEMIC AUTONOMY
Companies helped without any conditions
jeopardizing academic autonomy, such as
-dictating what how to teach, -what to
research or what conclusion to be made in the
research, -who can have access to resources,
specifically those that they donated.
Symbiotic features of the Linkage contributed
to this desirable condition.
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PRESERVING ACADEMIC AUTONOMY
Selective partnership. Companies undergo
screening process that include background check
on ownership management, inspection of
facilities willingness of companies to abide by
policies procedures of the Linkage. They are
also made aware that academic freedom is to be
preserved in any Linkage undertaking,
Legal agreements. Memoranda of agreement or legal
contracts with industry partners stipulate that
any output or benefit of the partnership will be
shared between the company COE. Information
resulting from the partnership may be made public
subject to certain confidentiality clauses in the
legal papers, if any.
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PRESERVING AUTONOMY Factors
Institutionalized process. Policies procedures
of the Linkage are publicized no special
treatments to companies who may desire to waive
academic freedom Formal organizational set-up.
Board of Advisers is comprised of 10 alumni from
industry. Thru them, suggestions on improving
quality of COE education research are made by
the industry. Linkage Committee, composed of
faculty members, monitors ensures that students
faculty are able to uphold academic freedom in
the conduct of activities. Documentation
instruments are used for this purpose, such as
Plant visit/seminar - reaction papers Research
/term paper/thesis - written oral reports
Practicum - written reports company
evaluations
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PRESERVING AUTONOMY Factors

• Symbiotic Sharing of resources. Linkage
  activities are mutually beneficial thus,
  Industry people cannot impose demands beyond the
  bounds of academic freedom.
• The benefits are
• Systems worked on by students substantially
  improve
• Productivities increase
• Personnel recruitments are facilitated
• Companies are able to use COE facilities for
  minimal fee, let their personnel attend COE
  sponsored public seminars, lectures or exhibits.
• They are able to inherit world-class quality of
  engineers from COE.
• Open communication thru presence of COE
  representatives in member companies designation
  of company representatives to Linkage

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FUTURE TRENDS CHALLENGES

• Establishment of similar linkage systems by other
  higher learning institutions that may be more
  willing to sacrifice autonomy for industry
  support,
• Globalization. Easier access by industry members
  to foreign higher learning institutions
  facilitated obtaining academic partners outside
  of the Philippines.
• Emigration of partners. Some present
  prospective industry partners are relocating or
  expanding abroad
• These challenges, nonetheless, are not as
  daunting as COE faces them with the support
  assurance from its industry partners.

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MARAMING SALAMAT PO!