Bridging the university / industry gap:
A personal perspective
Michael J. Pont
TTE Systems Ltd
MAA - UoL - Transport iNet
12 January 2011
Bridging the university / industry gap
Introduction
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Embedded systems
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Embedded systems
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My views on the university / industry gap
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I began work on my first embedded system in 1986
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I joined the University of Leicester in 1992
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Established the “Embedded Systems Laboratory”
Involved in a large number of industry-linked projects
“TTE Systems Ltd” spin-out process began 2005
the company now has an established customer base
in the UK, Europe, US, South-East Asia ...
TTE Systems supports 3 full-time PhD students
and 2 part-time MSc students.
I currently wear two hats:
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Medical device for the “DHSS”
CEO of TTE Systems Ltd (4 days a week)
Professor of Embedded Systems Engineering
Head of Embedded Systems Laboratory
University of Leicester (1 day a week)
Overview
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Why is there a gap between UK universities and industry?
Bridging the gap with:
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a spin-out company;
an effective research project;
an ongoing training and recruitment programme;
Conclusions
Bridging the university / industry gap
Why is there a gap?
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The gap between universities and industry
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A perfect match?
Industry
Industry
• Problems to• solve
Problems
(a “solutions
to solvedeficit”)
(a “solutions deficit”)
• Technology •and
Technology
experienceand experience
• A need for qualified
• A need
staff
for qualified staff
• Limited budgets
• Limited budgets
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Universities Universities
• A “problem deficit”
• A “problem deficit”
• Research expertise
• Research expertise
• Training skills• Training skills
• Well-qualified• students
Well-qualified
lookingstudents
for jobs looking for jobs
“It’s the way we do things around here ...”
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In my experience, the gap between universities and industry
appears to be much smaller in Germany (than in the UK)
Greater emphasis on sandwich courses, “year in industry”, etc
Project work by students which meets industry needs
(with advice from university supervisors)
Industry
• Problems to solve (a “solutions deficit”)
• Technology and experience
• A need for qualified staff
• Limited budgets
9
Universities
• A “problem deficit”
• Research expertise
• Training skills
• Well-qualified students looking for jobs
“Who will own the IP ..?”
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In my experience, a key stumbling block in discussions
between universities and industry is the issue of IP ownership
Industry
• Problems to solve (a “solutions deficit”)
• Technology and experience
• A need for qualified staff
• Limited budgets
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IP issues
Universities
• A “problem deficit”
• Research expertise
• Training skills
• Well-qualified students looking for jobs
Bridging the university / industry gap
The role of spin-out companies
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What is a spin-out company?
University
IP
Spin-out company
12
LongEasy
and and
cost-effective
complicated
access to
discussions
university
about
IP
issues??IP
Industry
Bridging the university / industry gap
Universities don’t always have all the answers
(but they may know how to find them)
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Research projects
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Sometimes universities have “off the shelf” solutions to
problems faced by industry:
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In my experience, the industrial partner will often have
identified and developed a solution:
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In my experience, this is less common than is sometimes assumed
(by the university ..?)
“Is this the best solution?” “Will it always work?” etc
Universities often have the skills required to answer such questions
IP ownership should not be an issue
This type of project can offer a range of benefits
Bridging the university / industry gap
Can your local university help with recruitment
and training?
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The traditional university model ...
Undergraduate degree
(+ MSc? + PhD?)
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Work in industry
for 40 years
A more effective model?
Ongoing university training
(e.g. Ugrad with “sandwich” placement,
then MSc (after a few years)
ongoing short courses
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Work in industry
for 40 years
Example: MSc in Reliable Embedded Systems
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Full MSc programme
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Part-time teaching over 2 years
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Students recruited by TTE
Based in the company for 2 years
Do MSc and work experience
Cost to sponsor ~£16k + VAT / year
MSc projects
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3 weeks of courses per year + project work
Experienced engineers
almost all in full-time employment
Many in their 30s, 40s, 50s ...
Many sponsored students
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University of Leicester degree
Delivered by TTE Systems
UK and Malaysia (2009-)
IP is owned by sponsor
Bridging the university / industry gap
Conclusions
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Conclusions
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There is a university / industry gap
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It is perhaps not as large as it once was,
but it is still significant.
Contact details:
M.Pont@tte-systems.com
Tel: 0116 223 1684
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This gap can be bridged if companies:
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Use university spin-out companies to
address IP concerns;
Work with universities to assess existing
(company owned) techniques and technology,
rather than simply considering
“technology transfer” options
(useful “side effects” may include PR opportunities);
Establish long-term relationships with local
universities to ensure that staff remain
up-to-date throughout their careers
(potential benefits of MSc projects should not be
underestimated).
www.TTE-Systems.com