{"id":4947,"date":"2021-02-11T07:38:45","date_gmt":"2021-02-11T07:38:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/humancapitalinternational.org\/articles\/?p=4947"},"modified":"2021-04-23T10:03:12","modified_gmt":"2021-04-23T10:03:12","slug":"the-collaborative-role-between-academia-and-industry-what-is-the-missing-link","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/humancapitalinternational.org\/articles\/the-collaborative-role-between-academia-and-industry-what-is-the-missing-link\/","title":{"rendered":"The collaborative role between academia and industry: what is the missing link?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>East Africa is experiencing unprecedented improvement in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.adeanet.org\/sites\/default\/files\/au_outlook_report_eac_english_version_2014_web.pdf\"><strong><em>literacy levels<\/em><\/strong><\/a> and access to post-secondary education.<\/p>\n<p>Substantial investments have been made in providing access to education after the region&#8217;s realisation that its development is primarily hinged on its people&#8217;s ability to exploit scarce resources efficiently and come up with breakthroughs and innovations. That is only possible through quality education.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/humancapitalinternational.org\/articles\/opportunity-to-tap-into-the-african-continental-free-trade-area\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-4916\" src=\"https:\/\/humancapitalinternational.org\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Opportunity-to-tap-into-the-African-Continental-Free-Trade-Area.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"342\" height=\"120\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><em><strong>Recommended article:\u00a0<\/strong><\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/humancapitalinternational.org\/articles\/opportunity-to-tap-into-the-african-continental-free-trade-area\/\"><em><strong>Opportunity to tap into the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n<p>In most cases, the quality of a nation&#8217;s people, rather than the quantity, determines the country&#8217;s competitiveness. That is why the Democratic Republic of Congo is regarded as a developing country despite its vast minerals and other natural resources.<\/p>\n<p>For instance, DRC, with slightly over 86million people ranks 135 out of 157 countries in terms of human capital development, with a human capital index score of 0.37 per cent, according to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.worldbank.org\/en\/country\/drc\/overview#:~:text=The%20country%20has%20also%20been,%2DSaharan%20Africa%20(0.40)\"><em><strong>World Bank<\/strong><\/em><\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>It means that a child born in Congo will be 37 per cent less productive in adulthood than a child who received a complete education and proper health care.<\/p>\n<p>On the other hand, with fewer than 6 million people, Singapore has ranked the best country globally in human capital development. A child in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.worldbank.org\/en\/country\/singapore\/overview\"><em><strong>Singapore<\/strong><\/em><\/a> is likely to be 88 per cent productive when s\/he grows up as if she enjoyed complete education and full health.<\/p>\n<p>However, both governments and private sector investment in education have not automatically translated into the grand innovations or industrialisation that Africa is craving for.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/humancapitalinternational.org\/leadershipsummit\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-4957 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/humancapitalinternational.org\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/articles-Pop-up.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"410\" height=\"410\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Employers often complain that the graduates, even those with First Class degrees, are still ill-equipped and lack the innovation and creativity required in the labour market.<\/p>\n<p>Even as degree holders increase on the continent, Africa faces a shortage of skilled labour with the right attitude and mindset to confront the continent&#8217;s numerous challenges.<\/p>\n<p>Fields such as Science, Mathematics, Entrepreneurship, health, Innovation, Technology, and Engineering, are still under-served.<\/p>\n<p>From historical times to date, African education is dominantly clerical. That explains why graduates keep flooding the market, yet unable to innovate, leading to high unemployment levels on the continent.<\/p>\n<p>In a 2014 study by the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.universityworldnews.com\/post.php?story=20140523130246934#:~:text=At%20least%20half%20of%20graduates,bloc's%20higher%20education%20regulator%20shows.\"><em><strong>Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA)<\/strong><\/em><\/a>, the regulating body for higher education in the region concluded that most graduates churned out of the universities are half-baked.<\/p>\n<p>If employees fail to innovate, it means businesses of all sizes are in danger. The danger will not stop at those businesses but instead, have a rippling effect on national economies.<\/p>\n<p>People in academia, industrialists, and SME operators all have to work together to forge a mutual relationship that will address the market demands and skills gaps. Africa still has a great need for problem solvers.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/humancapitalinternational.org\/articles\/why-investing-in-agribusinesses-in-why-investing-in-agribusinesses-in-africa-most-exciting-now\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-4930\" src=\"https:\/\/humancapitalinternational.org\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Why-investing-in-agribusinesses-in-Africa-most-exciting-now.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"342\" height=\"120\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><em><strong>Recommended article:\u00a0<\/strong><\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/humancapitalinternational.org\/articles\/why-investing-in-agribusinesses-in-why-investing-in-agribusinesses-in-africa-most-exciting-now\/\"><em><strong>Why investing in agribusinesses in Africa is most exciting now<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n<p>That is why at HCI, being an SMEs focused company; we believe you should be part of this year&#8217;s virtual Strategic Leaders&#8217; Summit, which will take place on the 25th of February. Special attention has been given to discuss the collaborative role between academia and SMEs and how best this can be achieved.<\/p>\n<p>The <em><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/humancapitalinternational.org\/leadershipsummit\/\">theme of the Summit<\/a><\/strong><\/em> is:\u00a0<em>&#8216;Transformation of Agribusiness and SMEs in the Digital Economy under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA),<\/em><\/p>\n<p>This is a must-attend conference because the Summit is known for its thoughtful private-public deliberations. You can register now by <em><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/humancapitalinternational.org\/leadershipsummit\/\">clicking here<\/a><\/strong><\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3>Grab a book today!<\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/humancapitalinternational.org\/books\/product\/strategic-positioning\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-4867\" src=\"https:\/\/humancapitalinternational.org\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Strategic-Positioning_Book-Cover2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"219\" height=\"259\" \/><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/humancapitalinternational.org\/books\/product\/the-miracle-of-the-mind\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-4879\" src=\"https:\/\/humancapitalinternational.org\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Miracle-of-the-Mind2.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"218\" height=\"259\" \/><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/humancapitalinternational.org\/books\/product\/success-is-more-than-luck\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-4868\" src=\"https:\/\/humancapitalinternational.org\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Success_Luck_Book2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"218\" height=\"258\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/humancapitalinternational.org\/books\/product\/customer-service-is-attitude-not-a-department\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-4887\" src=\"https:\/\/humancapitalinternational.org\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Customer-Service2-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"224\" height=\"264\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0$5.99\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 $6.99\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0$5.99\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0$7.99<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/humancapitalinternational.org\/books\/product\/strategic-positioning\/\"><strong>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Buy Now<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 <a href=\"https:\/\/humancapitalinternational.org\/books\/product\/the-miracle-of-the-mind\/\"><strong>Buy Now\u00a0<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 <a href=\"https:\/\/humancapitalinternational.org\/books\/product\/success-is-more-than-luck\/\"><strong>Buy Now<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 <a href=\"https:\/\/humancapitalinternational.org\/books\/product\/customer-service-is-attitude-not-a-department\/\"><strong>Buy Now<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>East Africa is experiencing unprecedented improvement in literacy levels and access to post-secondary education. Substantial investments have been made in providing access to education after the region&#8217;s realisation that its development is primarily hinged on its people&#8217;s ability to exploit scarce resources efficiently and come up with breakthroughs and innovations. That is only possible through [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4955,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[109],"tags":[305,307,263,9,303,306,304],"class_list":["post-4947","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-strategic-leaders-summits","tag-east-africa","tag-east-african-universities","tag-education","tag-employers","tag-human-capital-development","tag-skills-gaps","tag-world-bank"],"rttpg_featured_image_url":{"full":["https:\/\/humancapitalinternational.org\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/The-collaborative-role-between-academia-and-industry-what-is-the-missing-link.jpg",1140,400,false],"landscape":["https:\/\/humancapitalinternational.org\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/The-collaborative-role-between-academia-and-industry-what-is-the-missing-link.jpg",1140,400,false],"portraits":["https:\/\/humancapitalinternational.org\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/The-collaborative-role-between-academia-and-industry-what-is-the-missing-link.jpg",1140,400,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/humancapitalinternational.org\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/The-collaborative-role-between-academia-and-industry-what-is-the-missing-link-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/humancapitalinternational.org\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/The-collaborative-role-between-academia-and-industry-what-is-the-missing-link-300x300.jpg",300,300,true],"large":["https:\/\/humancapitalinternational.org\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/The-collaborative-role-between-academia-and-industry-what-is-the-missing-link-1024x400.jpg",1024,400,true],"lshowcase-thumb":["https:\/\/humancapitalinternational.org\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/The-collaborative-role-between-academia-and-industry-what-is-the-missing-link.jpg",200,70,false],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/humancapitalinternational.org\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/The-collaborative-role-between-academia-and-industry-what-is-the-missing-link.jpg",1140,400,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/humancapitalinternational.org\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/The-collaborative-role-between-academia-and-industry-what-is-the-missing-link.jpg",1140,400,false]},"rttpg_author":{"display_name":"Ojambo Joel","author_link":"https:\/\/humancapitalinternational.org\/articles\/author\/joelhumancapital\/"},"rttpg_comment":7,"rttpg_category":"<a href=\"https:\/\/humancapitalinternational.org\/articles\/category\/strategic-leaders-summits\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Strategic Leaders\u2019 Summits<\/a>","rttpg_excerpt":"East Africa is experiencing unprecedented improvement in literacy levels and access to post-secondary education. Substantial investments have been made in providing access to education after the region&#8217;s realisation that its development is primarily hinged on its people&#8217;s ability to exploit scarce resources efficiently and come up with breakthroughs and innovations. That is only possible through&hellip;","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/humancapitalinternational.org\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4947","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/humancapitalinternational.org\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/humancapitalinternational.org\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/humancapitalinternational.org\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/humancapitalinternational.org\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4947"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/humancapitalinternational.org\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4947\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4960,"href":"https:\/\/humancapitalinternational.org\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4947\/revisions\/4960"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/humancapitalinternational.org\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4955"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/humancapitalinternational.org\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4947"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/humancapitalinternational.org\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4947"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/humancapitalinternational.org\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4947"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}