This week, the Academic Solidarity Association is examining the relationship between academia and the real sector. While the critical role of universities in innovation and development is becoming increasingly stronger, collaboration between the two sides remains significantly below potential. This is a common concern not only in Turkey but also in Germany and other OECD countries. The OECD’s latest report on university-industry collaboration indicates that collaboration across countries falls short of expectations, citing bureaucracy, financing difficulties, and the different working rhythms of the two institutions (OECD 2023, https://www.oecd.org/sti/university-industry-collaboration.htm).

The criticism of academia as “working in glass palaces” is a frequent topic of public discussion. Researchers analyzing the academic world have noted that the pressure to publish, high teaching loads, and administrative duties consume a significant portion of academics’ time. This situation makes collaboration with external sectors difficult (Altbach 2015, https://doi.org/10.6017/ihe.2015.79.5837 ). Similarly, the European Commission emphasizes that there is a systematic disconnect between academia and industry due to “different motivations and lack of communication” (European Commission 2021, https://place-based-innovation.ec.europa.eu/publications/higher-education-smart-specialisation-handbook_en).

Meanwhile, the effectiveness of universities in the real sector is also a matter of debate. It is stated that businesses in Turkey generally see universities as institutions that provide qualified graduates, and that joint projects focused on R&D and innovation are still limited (https://www.yok.gov.tr/documents/documents/68c01f9a0dc63.pdf). While the situation in Germany is better, it is not entirely different. The “Transferindikator Deutschland” report, prepared by the Stifterverband and CHE, shows that even within German universities, sectoral collaboration remains below potential (Stifterverband & CHE 2022, https://www.stifterverband.org/transferkompass).  

One of the key reasons why sector expectations from universities are not being met is a lack of practical experience. The World Economic Forum’s “Future of Jobs” report states that university graduates in many countries struggle to meet the needs of the business world in terms of practical skills (WEF 2020, https://www.weforum.org/reports/the-future-of-jobs-report-2020).

Another factor weakening the academia-industry relationship is mutual distrust. A comprehensive review published in the journal Research Policy reveals that sector perceives academia as “slow and abstract,” while academia perceives sector as “impatient and commercially oriented.” The underlying causes of this situation lie in a lack of communication, differing motivations, and the weakness of intermediary institutions (Perkmann et al. 2013, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.respol.2012.09.007).

Successful examples from around the world prove that this disconnect can be overcome. The fact that approximately 70% of the Fraunhofer Institutes’ revenues come from private sector projects and the institution’s global success in applied research provides a strong model (Fraunhofer Jahresbericht 2023, https://www.fraunhofer.de/en/annual-report.html). The university-startup ecosystem that has developed around Stanford and MIT in the US enables the rapid commercialization of academic research (Roberts 2019, https://www.nowpublishers.com/article/Details/ENT-093). Local innovation programs implemented through the municipality-university-industry triangle in countries like Sweden and the Netherlands offer good examples of how collaboration can be institutionalized.

So, how can academia and the corporate sector work more effectively? According to an OECD analysis of collaboration policies, joint funding mechanisms, tax incentives, and strengthening technology transfer offices are among the critical steps for sustainable collaboration (OECD 2019, https://www.oecd.org/sti/university-industry-collaboration-policies.htm). Industrial doctoral programs, increasingly widespread in Europe, academic consulting, and developing a collaborative project culture with industry are also frequently recommended strategies.

While there is a visible distance between academia and the corporate sector, it’s clear that there is significant untapped potential. In areas like digitalization, artificial intelligence, sustainability, and global competition, both sides need each other much more than before. With the right bridge mechanisms, strong intermediary structures, and political support, it’s possible to create true synergy between universities and the business world. This collaboration is crucial not only for economic growth but also for social development and scientific advancement.