What is it about?
This study looks at how universities and companies in Kazakhstan, specifically in the telecommunications sector, work together to share knowledge and drive innovation. It explores how they collaborate, what challenges they face, and what both sides gain from these partnerships. The research is based on surveys from 24 universities and 28 telecom firms.
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Why is it important?
Strong university–industry connections are key to turning ideas into real-world innovations, which help boost economic growth. But in emerging economies like Kazakhstan, these relationships are often underdeveloped. This study sheds light on the gaps and mismatches between what universities and companies see as valuable and what actually happens. The findings can help improve policies and partnerships that support research, education, and business innovation, not just in Kazakhstan, but in similar countries as well.
Perspectives
Writing this article was a meaningful journey for me, as it brought together my long-standing interest in innovation and development in post-Soviet economies. It also gave me the chance to explore how real-world barriers affect collaboration between universities and industries. I hope this work encourages more research on knowledge transfer in underexplored regions like Kazakhstan and helps spark practical policy solutions tailored to local realities. More than anything, I hope it contributes to closing the gap between academia and industry in ways that benefit both sectors and the society they serve.
Dr. Yelena Smirnova
University of Barcelona
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: University–industry knowledge transfer in an emerging economy: Evidence from Kazakhstan, Science and Public Policy, December 2015, Oxford University Press (OUP),
DOI: 10.1093/scipol/scv074.
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