In today’s knowledge-driven economy, the synergy between academia, industry and government plays a critical role in shaping innovations, solving complex societal problems and fostering economic growth for a better world. Doctorate holders, who are the epitome of specialised knowledge and advanced research skills, can contribute significantly to all three sectors. However, despite their deep expertise, many doctorate holders often find themselves confined to academia or limited to specific research areas, with little interaction with the real-world applications of their knowledge. One potential solution to bridge this gap is to offer them temporary positions in industry (public and private) and government departments. Such stints can benefit society by fostering collaboration, driving innovation, addressing public policy challenges, and ensuring that research is not only theoretical but also practically applicable and socially significant. The All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE)-2021-22 report shows that the total enrolment for PhD programmes in India is 2,12,474, of which around 24.8% and 21.3% enrolment are in the disciplines of engineering and technology and science, respectively. Both disciplines are industry relevant and PhD degree holders from these streams can play a pivotal role if given a chance to serve in industry/departments/Ministries even for a short duration.
Academia and industry work in silos
Academia and industry often function in silos with minimal crossover. Doctoral students in academia tend to focus on advancing theoretical knowledge, often with little regard for the commercial viability or immediate societal relevance of their work. On the other hand, industry focuses on solving practical problems and creating products or services that are scalable and marketable. This gap means that the immense potential of academic research often fails to make a meaningful impact outside of scholarly circles. PhD holders are at the forefront of producing cutting-edge knowledge in their respective fields. Yet, this knowledge can sometimes be too abstract or specialised to directly benefit industry and government, where practical solutions are required.
Offering PhD holders a temporary stint in industry or government could effectively bridge this knowledge gap and provide numerous benefits. First, these positions would allow PhD holders to apply their research in practical settings, gaining insights into how their theoretical work can be implemented in real-world scenarios. These experiences would help them refine their ideas and make them more applicable to societal needs.
Similarly, temporary/ad hoc placements in industry and government departments would allow PhD holders to directly contribute to policy-making processes. Governments often rely on data-driven analysis and evidence-based decision-making, and PhD holders bring the advanced research skills necessary for addressing complex policy challenges. Whether it is in health, climate change, education, science and technology or economics, PhD holders can provide the analytical capabilities required to develop more effective and efficient public policies.
One of the primary ways in which a temporary stint in industry or government would benefit society is by fostering innovation. Industry thrives on new ideas and novel solutions, and PhD holders bring a depth of specialised knowledge that can drive the development of new technologies, products, and services. For example, in the tech industry, PhD holders, in fields such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors or quantum computing, can lead breakthroughs that have transformative impacts on every day life. In health care, researchers in biology, chemistry, or physics can help translate laboratory discoveries into medical treatments or technologies that improve public health.
Similarly, government departments can benefit from the expertise of PhD holders in crafting policies that address pressing societal issues. Whether it is in environmental sustainability, public health, or urban development, researchers who understand the underlying science and data can help shape more informed and effective policies. For instance, in the fight against climate change, PhD holders in environmental science, renewable energy, or economics can provide the research-based insights needed to design policies that reduce carbon emissions or promote sustainable development.
These collaborations between academia and industry/government can also help tackle complex, interdisciplinary problems that no single sector can solve alone. Challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, or cybersecurity threats require coordinated effort from all three sectors, i.e., academic research, private sector innovation, and government policy. Doctorate holders, with their cross-disciplinary expertise, can act as bridges among these spheres, facilitating collaboration and fostering solutions that are both scientifically sound and socially relevant.
Professional development, knowledge transfer
Another key benefit of offering doctorate holders temporary positions in industry and government is the opportunity for professional development and knowledge transfer. Industry and government departments are dynamic environments that often require employees to think critically and solve problems in real time, a skill set that is not necessarily always cultivated in academic settings. PhD holders can gain valuable practical experience that will enhance their professional careers, whether they choose to return to academia or continue working in the private or public sector.
Moreover, by working in these sectors, PhD holders will have the opportunity to share their knowledge and methodologies with professionals from different backgrounds. This knowledge transfer can enrich the industry and government sectors by introducing cutting-edge research methods, analytical techniques, and new perspectives that are not typically present in traditional work environments. In turn, PhD holders themselves can learn from the practical challenges and opportunities faced by these sectors, improving their own research and understanding of how their work can contribute to societal betterment.
Creating a flexible and integrated workforce
In an increasingly globalised and interconnected world, the boundaries between academia, industry, and government are becoming more porous. The traditional separation between these sectors no longer serves society’s best interests, and a more integrated approach is required. Offering PhD holders temporary stints in both industry and government can help create a more flexible, inclusive, and adaptable workforce that can navigate the complexities of modern challenges. Such initiatives would encourage collaboration, promote interdisciplinary thinking, and foster a culture of innovation that spans across different sectors. This idea has the potential to specially benefit women PhD candidates, who can serve in industry for a short duration, post their PhD, before committing themselves for their domestic responsibilities. Having acquired practical experience in the field, they may join a similar industry later in their career.
These temporary positions would also allow PhD holders to develop transferable skills, such as leadership, communication, and project management, which are often under-emphasised in academic training. By gaining exposure to the operational side of organisations, PhD holders will be better equipped to bring their research to a broader audience, whether through the commercialisation of ideas or the development of public policies. Industry can bear the financial burden out of its corporate social responsibility fund. The Union government can also sponsor it in the manner it has launched the Prime Minister’s Internship Scheme for undergraduate students. This proposal has the potential to give wings to India’s aspirations to become ‘Viksit Bharat’ by 2047.
Milind Kumar Sharma is Director, Academics and teaches in the Department of Production and Industrial Engineering at MBM University, Jodhpur, Rajasthan
Published – February 11, 2025 04:00 am IST
