Companies must constantly seek for leadership in products and services. Under this scenario, companies have looked for cooperation and tested models to integrate their activities with academic applied research centers. This model induces implementation of best practices and share explicit and tacit employed knowledge. The model can also serve as a methodology to transfer technology.
The proposed model defined as “Science Academy Model” has three dimensions: i) education and training, ii) applied research; iii) productive sector technological demands. These three dimensions are managed on the basis of considering the QCT = Quality, Cost and Time (or delivery) indicators and targets. The productive sector is responsible to present its problems and/or demands, detail the scope and deliverables, and the target performance indicators (QCT).
This model was to some extend inspired by the existing TheoPrax® Methodology, developed in Fraunhofer ICT, Germany. The TheoPrax method, with subjects recruited from companies or institutions, is an optimized teaching method to link theory, practice, knowledge and competences in schools and universities. [1] [2] [3]