The Contemporary Trends and challenges of University-Industry Linkage and Technology Transfer in Unity University, Ethiopia

Abstract

The study examines university-industry linkage and technology transfer (U-ILTT) at Unity University, a private higher education institution in Ethiopia. A qualitative case study method was used, with participants being staff members and industry experts. The research participants were staff members of Unity University and industry experts. Participants were selected through purposive sampling. A structured interview was used along with document analysis. Narrative and content analysis were used to analyze the data collected through interviews and documents. The findings revealed that while the university had internships and public lectures, faculty and students lack awareness of University-Industry Linkage and the university has not integrated U-ILTT into its strategic plan. Contemporary trends in U-ILTT, such as commercialization, innovation, and technology transfer, were overlooked. The study recommends the establishment of a separate U-ILTT office, integrating linkage into all plans, creating awareness, meeting industry needs, and preparing a well-defined strategy for productive linkages. Further investigation is recommended for firm conclusions.