The Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM), established in 2004, is a network of 25 universities at the postgraduate level in 15 countries in Eastern, Central, and Southern Africa. RUFORUM's mission is to strengthen the capacity of universities to foster innovations responsive to demands of smallholder farmers…

Partnerships between businesses and higher education are discussed from the standpoint of effects on higher education traditions, policies and practices; business productivity and competitiveness; and opportunities for leadership. Part 1, "Making Partnerships Work: Objectives, Approaches, and Strategies," by David R. Powers and Mary F. Powers,…

Leadership in industry-university research centers often involves helping constituencies with conflicting priorities deal with challenges, necessitating a participatory leadership style. Other challenges include exercising intrapreneurship, creating a compelling technical vision, and spanning organizational boundaries. (SK)

A project to assess the range of incentives and programs to establish more extensive research relationships between business firms and the Florida State University System (SUS) is described. The focus was research and development in the high-technology areas. Information was sought on incentives and barriers affecting business-university research…

Examines reasons why bonds between higher education and industry must be strengthened in Ireland, indicating that competitiveness and unemployment in Ireland require it, that research and development (R&D) resources of universities can be the lifeblood for many future developments for manufacturing companies, and that Ireland lags behind other…

Describes and discusses three aspects of cooperation between industry and engineering schools in Denmark: (1) practical training of undergraduates; (2) cooperation in research and development; and (3) industry's help to the university with renewal of its equipment. Indicates that the last few years have brought important changes in these areas.…

Swedish research policy and organization, research areas, university research institutes, and international research and development (R&D) cooperation are discussed. Swedish research policy may be characterized as sectorized, decentralized, and pluralistic. The governmental bodies responsible for research direction include the Ministry of…

Discusses the National Research and Education Network (NREN) and the National Science Foundation Network (NSFNET), and the role that interagency cooperation and government-industry cooperation have played in their formation. The role of the Federal Coordinating Council for Science, Engineering, and Technology (FCCSET) and future plans are also…

Describes Control Data Corporation's efforts to encourage cooperative research and development ventures in advanced technology. Argues that industry, government, and universities together can provide the necessary support to help new enterprises prosper. Regional cooperation among states to encourage technology exchange is endorsed. (DH)

Describes several National Science Foundation programs which encourage interaction between industries and universities. They include engineering research centers, Presidential Young Investigator Awards, and programs in the Industrial Science and Technology Innovation Division. Indicates that industry's pressing need for solutions often adds…

The Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) and the University of Tennessee have established a measurement and controls research center and a master's-level academic engineering program. A description of this university/industry cooperative research center is provided. Indicates that a doctoral program is planned when the master's program is well…

Although fundamentally different purposes may cause clashes when universities and industry embark on joint research and development ventures, careful planning can often bridge this gap. Areas addressed include university/industry cooperation, information exchange, intellectual property, and conflicts with colleagues/students. (DH)

Some 122 university-based research and development (R&D) laboratories were examined to evaluate the extent to which they pursue generic/basic research goals. The study focused on structural, behavioral, and environmental variables affecting the nature of R&D products. Organizational characteristics that are most likely to stimulate…

The major concerns in university-industry research relationships, discussed from an industrial viewpoint, include: research and development (R&D) within the firm, for an industry, and for a society; types of R&D organizations; working with universities and government labs; potential problems; and possible directions for the future. (MSE)

Addresses postgraduate environmental education by supported distance learning as offered by the Open University in Great Britain. Refers to techniques for regularly updating material in rapidly developing areas as well as integrating teaching and research. Also refers to the modular course Integrated Safety, Health and Environmental Management.…