The Internet — A New Dimension in University—Industry Collaboration

Abstract

This paper examines how advanced technology and communication networks are revolutionizing the way university researchers, scientists and industrialists are communicating and working together. In collaborative projects, partners often come from different environments, backgrounds and possibly different regions and countries. Barriers such as geographical remoteness, lack of time in the working day, the cost of travel and differences in culture can seriously hinder regular communication and development work. However the Internet is fast becoming an indispensable international communications tool. It constitutes a resource that is invaluable to the knowledge and technology transfer process. It links over two-thirds of universities and is enabling industry and universities all over the world to develop in new and exciting ways – although there are both opportunities and threats associated with its explosive growth. This paper illustrates how the authors have gained advantage by exploiting current technology to form successful partnerships in this new high-speed ‘no boundaries’ information age.