AN IMPACT STUDY OF LINKING UNIVERSITIES WITH INDUSTRIAL FIRMS IN JORDAN: THE CASE OF THE FACULTY-FOR-FACTORY PROGRAM

摘要

In Jordan, a program entitled “Faculty-For-Factory” (FFF) was developed and implemented as a linkage between industry and academic institutions. The program was aiming at grasping the unique opportunities offered by practical research performed at institutions of higher education to the success of Jordan economy, and enhancing the development of university/industry collaboration. This paper presents an impact study of the program after five years of implementation (2003-2007). The impact was based on interviewing the participants from the industrial firms and assessed their perception of the programs. Faculty members were interviewed and the impact of their participation in the program and how it is reflected on their teaching, research and community services is reported. The results showed that an actual form of collaboration between the academia and the industry was highly promoted and the satisfaction level of the program is high from the two parties.