Survey Results Unveiled "University-Industry Collaboration: Researchers Weigh In"

Finding a Common Language to Better Understand the Potential of Collaboration

MONTREAL, Nov. 13, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - On the occasion of the third edition of Rendez-vous du Savoir, the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal today unveiled the findings of its latest survey,University-Industry Collaboration: Researchers Weigh In. Conducted in partnership with Léger Marketing, this survey reveals how Quebec university research centres and chairs perceive collaboration with the private sector. The study confirmssome of theresults foundin previous business surveys.

"The relevance of industry and academia working together has sometimes been questioned. We therefore felt it important to gainmore insight into university-industry collaboration, this time by asking Quebec's research centres and chairs what they think. What we found was quite interesting, namely that they would like, in as far as possible, to set common research objectives with businesses and to capitalize on each other's complementary skills. This is especially true in high added-value sectors such as the natural sciences, engineering and health sciences," said Board of Trade President and CEO Michel Leblanc.

Survey findings

Collaboration with the private sector is relevant and necessary for research work
In addition to being deemed relevant to research work, teaming up withbusiness also meets a financial need since the latter provides some of the funding required for this work (proportion varies). Most of the partnerships involve contract or collaborative research, and the main reasons for engaging with industry are to test practical applications of theories, to secure new contracts and to stay on top of industry developments. They also seem to meet a need to establish common research objectives with the private sector so that both can leverage each other's skills.

Collaboration with industry is here to stay
Almost 9 out of 10 research centres and chairs that had worked with industry in the past plan to do so again, confirming one of the conclusions of last year's survey, namely that trying is believing.

University funding is still an issue
Although research centres and chairs give Quebec's university system good marksfor research quality, teaching, overall quality and graduate employability, they feel that more funding is needed if it is to become a North American reference for higher learning.

"The purpose of this year's survey was to find out what our university researchers think about their collaboration with the private sector. What we learned was that the findings of past surveys, notably, that business leaders recognize the merit of such partnerships and would like to see more of them, also holds true for researchers. Last year we encouraged industry to reach out to academia; this year we're asking academia to do the same," said the President of Léger Marketing, Jean-Marc Léger.

Rendez-vous du Savoir
The theme of this year's Rendez-vous du Savoir, which will take place on November 14 and 15 at Palais des congrès de Montréal, is Gather. Recognize. Influence. The two main goals of this third edition are to pool our strengths to innovate in order to grow our prosperity, and to recognize our talents and creativity.Last year's edition attracted over 3,000 people.

"Universities and industry are important actors in society and must therefore demonstrate exemplary leadership and reach out to one another. A closer, more productive relationship between academia and the business community should be at the forefront of our collective strategy for the future. Rendez-vous du Savoir is a step in that direction and as such deserves our full support and active participation," said Monique F. Leroux, President and CEO of Desjardins Group and co-spokesperson for Rendez-vous du Savoir.

"Rendez-vous du Savoir is an excellent exampleofinteraction between the academic and scientific communities, the business world andthe general public.It is important toseize the opportunity offered by this event to bring all these stakeholders together and explore new avenues for partnerships. There is also no better place than Rendez-vous du Savoir to promote research andgive it the means to takeits rightful place," added Dr. Pavel Hamet, professor with the Faculty of Medicine at Université de Montréal and co-spokesperson for Rendez-vous du Savoir.

To view the survey: www.btmm.qc.ca/2012rdvs

Presented by Desjardins Group in partnership with Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton and CGI, Rendez-vous du Savoir is organized by Palais des congrès de Montréal, the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal,the Conference of Rectors and Principals of Quebec Universities,the Conférence régionale des élus de Montréal, theMontreal Council on Foreign Relations, Montréal International, Tourisme Montréal and Ville deMontréal. This annual event showcasesthe wealth created by our universities as well as their important contribution to Quebec society at the local, provincial and international levels.

Rendez-vous du Savoir is pleased to welcome CNW as its broadcast partner.

Learn more about Rendez-vous du Savoir: www.rendezvousdusavoir.com

The Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal is made up of some 7,000 members. Its mission is to represent the interests of the business community of Greater Montréal and to provide individuals, merchants, and local businesses of all sizes with a variety of specialized services to help them achieve their full potential in terms of innovation, productivity, and competitiveness. The Board of Trade is Quebec's leading private economic development organization.

The Rendez-vous du Savoir is pleased to have CNW as its broadcast partner.

SOURCE: RENDEZ-VOUS DU SAVOIR

Sylvie Paquette
Advisor, Media Relations
Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal
Tel.: [phone], ext. 4015
[email protected]

Caroline Couillard
Morin Relations Publiques
Tel.: [phone], ext. 233
Mobile: [phone]
[email protected]