Status and challenges of university-industry linkage in the Tigray Regional State of Ethiopia

Abstract

University-Industry Linkage (UIL) is the interaction of academic or research universities and industries of different sectors for complementary benefits. This paper presents the results of a study conducted to understand the present status and challenges of UIL in the Regional State of Tigray, Ethiopia. Using convergent parallel mixed research design, the study addressed two research questions: (1) what is the status of UIL in the Regional State of Tigray, Ethiopia? (2) what are the UIL challenges facing universities and industries in the Regional State of Tigray, Ethiopia? Respondents were recruited from two universities and eight industries of different business areas including service, manufacturing, finance and energy. A survey questionnaire and interview protocols were developed by adapting items used in previous studies and distributed to a sample size of 1350. The findings show that there are occasional collaborations between the universities and industries in the Region mostly focusing on internship and training. Although communications and meetings are conducted between the universities and industries to create UIL opportunities in Tigray, signed collaboration agreements remain mostly on the shelf mainly due to lack of due attention and commitment from both sides in taking the step forward. Therefore, awareness creation measures and sound policy framework and guidelines should be in place for effective and practical collaborations to exist and get realized.