Cooperation between higher education and community in Saudi Arabia: The case of King Saud University cooperation with industry in the Riyadh area.

摘要

This study assesses the current relationship between King Saud University (KSU) and industry in the Riyadh area, investigates impediments to a closer relationship, and suggests some new strategies and reform possibilities in the areas of research, training/continuing education, and consultancy.;The study is primarily qualitative and exploratory in nature, with the research strategy of a descriptive case study, using interviews and documents to collect qualitative data. The population of this study consists of two groups, one from KSU, the other from industry in the Riyadh area.;The total number of persons interviewed was 44. Twenty-two from KSU, 20 from different manufactories and industries in the Riyadh area, and 2 individuals were interviewed from the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce & Industry.;Besides intensive interviewing, the researcher undertook analysis of documents related to the research problem. These documents include: institutional policies, annual reports, newsletters, conference and seminar reports, and meeting minutes.;The findings of this study indicate that cooperation between KSU and industry in Riyadh is still limited and only a few projects have been carried out. The problems most frequently mentioned by both sets of interviewees were: lack of sufficient communication; manufacturers' long and continuing relationship with international firms; unavailability of information about university services; red tape and bureaucratic procedures in the university; university unawareness of problems encountered in industry; and the non-existence of local or national intermediary bodies.;The study provided different strategies and actions to be taken to improve cooperation between KSU and industry in the Riyadh area. These include: decentralization of university decision making; delegating additional responsibilities to the heads of departments and research centers to take actions and to communicate directly with industry; developing new policies to organize income and compensations from cooperative projects; and developing new marketing and advertisement strategies about university services. The study also recommended the establishment of an industry liaison office by the university, and the establishment of an intermediary agency by the government.