Determining factors hindering the acceptability of academia-industry collaboration in aided colleges: A case of “managerial skills for entrepreneurs” program

Academia and Industry have different meaning for the term ‘collaboration’. When collaboration is realized, academicians and students reach the knowledge in practice. It becomes important for one more reason that students from colleges and universities join industry after completing their education. That is why it is essential to have knowledge and interaction with industry. In turn, collaboration with universities is crucial for organizations in order to get solutions for different problems in the form of projects and to get specific industry trained human resource. According to enterprises, the level of success of academia-industry collaboration is evaluated by the measurement of business financial acquisitions and the rate of transfer of new scientific-based knowledge and technology that contributes to the work results. Both parties should collaborate with the aim of fulfilling their objectives. They may launch certain programs for the students. A program with strong curriculum, methods and technology can add value to this collaboration. The success of these programs depends on how students perceive and understand the program's relevance. These kinds of programs may get different response in different type of educational institutions. Professional colleges may easily understand the essence and join them but the scenario in aided colleges is totally different.The objective of the paper is to identify the hindrances in accepting academia-industry collaborated programs by the students. The study reveals that there exists a large variety of potential motivations for accepting these programs. But challenges are more. Students’ decision of joining these programs is affected by many factors like educational, psychological and social that restricts them to accept this outcome of academia-industry collaboration. The study is useful for the academicians, especially of the aided colleges for understanding the challenges to overcome. On the other side it will help the industry in drafting their strategy to make the program popular and their easy entry to the colleges providing traditional degrees. Besides this, the study may be useful for government in changing their rules and regulations and for the society which is ready for the development.