Cooperation between industry and university, different worlds but common interest

Abstract

In the industry we shall support our customers with good products in a way to earn money,
We shall also be a fair member of the society which includes legality and a good
environmental profile, The main interest of the University is examination of students, produce
papers in the most respectable sites and find external money, The industry has problems that
need qualified solutions as soon as possible. Why is then the cooperation about environmental
issues between the industry and university are of great interest and importance? In the
industry we have the activities that are a part of many environmental problems but not the full
competence over all aspects connected to them, In my over twenty years of experience in
different Swedish companies located in south east Sweden I have had many contacts with the
University of Kalmar, regarding different environmental questions. First of all, there is a great
competence and a great interest to be a part in developing of the cooperation with the
industry, Parts that could be better include the following:
• Easier use and cooperation with other parts of the University have competence or
resources
• Short term cooperation for the industry in longer projects
• General contacts between the academic world and the local industry which both are
parts in a fast growing global environmental impact
• In the industry we most learn that work by students or researchers are not free of
charge
• Lack of efficient administrative routines and project management at the university
• In the industry we most learn that work by students or researchers are not free of
charge
• Lack of efficient administrative routines and project management at the university,
What we can do locally is to build network both formal and informal,
Industry cooperation, project management, network