Higher Education-Industry Cooperation in Ireland: the role of the National Board for Science and Technology

There is a growing awareness in Ireland of the benefits to be derived from having closer links between the higher education sector and industry. In promoting and fostering such links the National Board for Science and Technology plays a catalytic role which is described in the paper

The outcome of some on-going higher education-industry cooperation schemes are reviewed. The motivating factors which affect higher education-industry interaction are examined as well as a consideration of the disincentives which limit cooperation. A number of mechanisms aimed at furthering higher education-industry cooperation in Ireland are discussed and some of these will be tested in pilot schemes by the National Board for Science and Technology

Attitudes in Ireland are changing in favour of more collaborative work between industry and the higher education institutions. A Government commitment to ensure that the expertise in Irish universities is harnessed by industry has been made with the making available of additional funding to encourage developments of this nature.