The Nature and Scope of Industry—Institute Interaction in India: Experiences from the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras

One of the most important functions of a modern research university is interaction with industry in order to establish a close link between education, research, and professional practice. This paper examines relevant issues with special reference to the Indian context: Indian industry's perceptions of the curricula offered by the universities; the prerequisites for an institution if it is to develop successful cooperation with industry; the interaction between scientific and industrial research organizations and industry; and basic differences and contentious issues that arise between the higher education and industrial sectors in terms of roles, goals and perceptions. An analysis is also presented of some barriers or inhibitors to cooperation, and strategies to overcome them are suggested. Against this background, the author offers a case study of current initiatives designed to promote interaction with industry at the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras.