The involvement of companies in doctoral research is a strategic and increasingly valued element in the system promoted by ANVUR. This involvement plays a central role in various evaluation areas, particularly in Area E – Research Quality and Third Mission/Social Impact – and Area B – Resource Management.
The involvement of companies in doctoral research brings tangible benefits, both for universities and doctoral students:
-
Improved employability: training programs are more aligned with the profiles required by the market.
-
Funding and resources: companies contribute with scholarships, infrastructure, and tutoring.
-
Innovation and technology transfer: research projects are oriented towards applicable and concrete solutions.
-
Internationalization and mobility: Multinational companies encourage experiences abroad and international collaborations.
-
Positive evaluation in accreditation processes: AVA 3 indicators reward courses that demonstrate a strong connection with the productive sector.
The implications for doctoral planning are:
- Plan training and research activities consistent with the professional profiles of the graduates.
- Foster interdisciplinarity and transdisciplinarity, including through projects with companies.
-
Stimulate the autonomy of doctoral students, also thanks to the support of external tutors from the productive sector.
Technology transfer is a fundamental component of the university mission, especially in the context of the third mission, which concerns The social, economic, and cultural impact of academic activity. It is the process through which universities transform research results into practical applications, products, services, or innovations that can be used by businesses, public bodies, or civil society. This activity is important. for the Promotion of Research because:
-
It enables the translation of scientific research into concrete innovation, increasing the social and industrial relevance of academic work.
-
It fosters partnerships with businesses, public and private entities, which can provide financial resources, scholarships, shared laboratories, and applied research projects.
-
Educational programs are enriched with transversal and professional skills, improving entry into the world of work.
-
Universities become drivers of local development, contributing to the economic and social growth of the region.