Strengthening Academia-Industry Linkages: Insights from an Engineering University in Balochistan, Pakistan

This study aimed to explore existing academia-industry linkages and challenges that hinder effective collaboration in an engineering university in Balochistan. The study adopted a qualitative case study approach and conducted semi-structured interviews with 12 faculty members representing four engineering disciplines. An inductive thematic analysis was applied to interpret recurring ideas within the interviews. The study findings reveal that most academia-industry partnerships are limited to only MOUs, with little tangible collaboration. The findings of the study demonstrated that geographic isolation from industrialized cities and financial challenges are key factors contributing to weak academia-industry linkages in Balochistan. The study suggests that meaningful reform in terms of academia-industry partnerships will require sustainable, closer policy alignment and more substantial financial commitments. Shared frameworks among universities, industries, and government agencies are crucial for translating intent into action. Further implications are discussed, and suggestions for future research are outlined.