Page 58 - A Handbook for Academia, Industry and Policymakers: Reinforcing the Innovation-Employability Nexus in the Mediterranean

58 REINFORCING THE INNOVATION-EMPLOYABILITY NEXUS IN THE MEDITERRANEAN REINFORCING THE INNOVATION-EMPLOYABILITY NEXUS IN THE MEDITERRANEAN 59

Collaborative doctorates and dimension. These types of collaborative PhD industry-academia partnerships; (b) industry- depending on the group. For universities and
typologies of partnerships programmes first emerged in the 1980s and have academia partnerships; and (c) government- research institutes, key benefits include the
gained considerable traction in the last 10 years. academia partnerships. Examples of these three insight into industry, the development of in-
There are many different types of partnership Later developments also include a strong focus doctoral intersectoral mobility arrangements: depth relationships and a better understanding
arrangements for doctoral intersectoral mobility, on entrepreneurship and launching start-ups. (A) GOVERNMENT-INDUSTRY-ACADEMIA of the labour market. From an industry point
such as the physical mobility of researchers from A recent example is Conception X, a UK-based PARTNERSHIP: of view, participating in collaborative doctoral
one sector (academia in particular) to another deep tech venture programme and platform that The French CIFRE programme (which schemes provides benefits such as improving
(industry in the first place, but other sectors of transforms PhDs into ‘venture scientists’, helping includes Moroccan partners) was established the organisation’s long-term innovation and
employment as well). Most collaborative schemes them commercialise their research, create start- in 1981 and aims to strengthen exchange competitiveness, identifying highly talented
prioritise spending a relevant amount of time in ups, and collaborate with industry. Overall, the between academic research organisations industrial researchers and enhanced reputation.
industry, thus strengthening the research-to- different partnership schemes can be grouped (universities or research centres) and The European University Association (EUA)
practice and research-to-policy (and vice-versa) into three main categories: (a) government- companies, associations, or governmental recommends that models for collaborative

entities. The focus is on creating the right doctorates should be extended to the public sector
conditions for industry to attract highly for careers in public service54. As to doctoral
Interplay between the different elements of the Triple Helix qualified PhD and post-doctoral researchers students, carrying out their PhD research
Figure 9 by offering them employment, career outside of academia is an effective means
advancement and the possibility to be of gaining exposure to industrial research,
immersed in industry. acquiring transferable skills, and enhancing
their employability.
Industry Academia (B) INDUSTRY-ACADEMIA PARTNERSHIP:
• Enhances visibility and reputation by being • Boosts innovation in the region/country fulfilling The Italian PhD ITalents project is managed by
associated with research excellence schemes the ‘third mission’ the Conference of Italian University Rectors
• Improves long-term competitiveness and • Intensifies the science-to-practice and (CRUI) in partnership with Confindustria Example of a collaborative
innovation through knowledge transfer and the science-to-policy (and vice-versa) knowledge (Italian organisation representing the
experience needed in a global, interconnected world transfer country’s main industries). The project seeks PhD scheme
• Supports competitiveness and innovation through • Stimulates growth of network and reinforcement of to facilitate cooperation between universities Figure 10
knowledge transfer with universities and research relationships with industry and private sector companies, by supporting
institutions industry placements of PhD students in
• Increases employability of PhD graduates Industry
• Identifies highly talented industrial researchers, innovative projects.
especially in sectors where there are skills • Promotes technology-transfer through spin-offs Company,
shortages and start-ups creation, mainly from (C) GOVERNMENT-ACADEMIA public entity
or NGO
universities to innovative clusters such
• Provides access to cutting-edge as in science parks and incubators, PARTNERSHIP:
scientific equipment and technology The Catalan Industrial Doctorates represent
often located in proximity to Working Collaboration
• Provides funding through higher education and publicly a partnership initiative between the Contract Agreement
research funds, corporate finance research Government of Catalonia and the Catalan
income tax deductions and ACADEMIA infrastructure. University. The initiative aims to strengthen
social security allowances INDUSTRY the competitiveness of Catalan industry PhD Academia
through the retention of regional cadres and
the attraction of international talent.
Students
Research
Thesis University of
Centre
Benefits of collaborative doctorates Agreement
G O V E R N M E N T Doctoral education has great potential as a

link between academia and society. Long-term The key element of the industrial doctorate
collaborations with the industry sector have is the research project (object of the doctoral
Government shown that industrial PhDs can contribute to thesis) conducted with a company, public
• Increases PhD employability since graduates of industrial doctorates enter the work force at a higher the innovation ecosystem by developing human institution or third sector organisation in
income level, more quickly and in greater numbers than those with conventional doctorates resources and sharing knowledge between collaboration with a university or research
universities and non-academic partners. Several centre. Therefore, industrial doctorates act
• Stimulates innovation in the private and public sector through focused and application-oriented research
studies (bibliography references47–53) recognise as a bridge for knowledge transfer and
• Improves knowledge exchange between public sector and research institutions.
the positive impact of industrial doctorates for encourage closer ties between academia and
• Strengthens applied research capacity which feeds into policymaking in government (science-to-policy). all stakeholders involved, even if benefits vary the practice world.