In the UK’s race toward sustainable growth and industrial innovation, one persistent challenge continues to slow progress: the disconnect between academia and industry. For decades, universities have been engines of research and talent, while industry has driven application, scale, and economic impact. Yet, too often, they operate in parallel rather than in partnership. Gambica’s University and Industry Collaboration group is changing that. With the recent appointment of a new university lead, Dr Payam Soulatiantork of University of Sheffield, the momentum is accelerating. Payam’s appointment, with his deep roots in academia coupled with a clear understanding of industrial needs, is acting as a bridgebuilder, translating between two cultures that often speak different languages. Already, we’re seeing results with a growing recognition that collaboration must be long-term and systemic, and involve wider discussions. We are targeting plenty more potential university members, with the idea to develop the group and work with colleges and other academic institutions. At its core, this initiative is about more than just matchmaking between professors and manufacturers. It’s about aligning incentives, translating research into realworld impact, and ensuring that the next generation of engineers, scientists and technologists are equipped not just with theoretical knowledge, but with the practical skills and strategic mindset that industry demands. If UK industry is to remain globally competitive, it must tap into the intellectual capital housed within our universities. Likewise, academic institutions must ensure their curricula, research priorities, and graduate outcomes reflect the realities of the industrial landscape. Gambica’s approach is refreshingly pragmatic. The University and Industry Collaboration group isn’t just a talking shop; it’s a strategic platform for action. By convening stakeholders from across the sector, the group fosters dialogue that leads to tangible outcomes: joint research projects, curriculum co-design, student placements, and policy recommendations that reflect the lived experience of both educators and employers. We have developed three working groups, each with different expert leads from Gambica member companies, Collaborative Partnership for Progress (CPP), STEM and Policy. Each group is made up of a mixture of academic and industrial representatives. This matters not just for innovation, but for inclusion. Regional disparities in access to industrial opportunities remain stark. By working with universities across the UK, Gambica is helping to democratise access to industrial collaboration. Of course, challenges remain. Funding mechanisms are often misaligned. Bureaucratic hurdles can stifle agility and there are cultural differences between academia and industry, such as risk appetite, timelines and metrics of success which require ongoing negotiation. But Gambica’s group is uniquely positioned to navigate these tensions, precisely because it brings together voices from both sides with a shared commitment to progress. At a time when industrial strategy is under the spotlight, and when the UK’s productivity puzzle continues to perplex policymakers, initiatives such as this offer a clear path forward. Collaboration isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity. And Gambica’s University and Industry Collaboration group is proving that with the right leadership, structure, and intent, we can turn good intentions into great outcomes. We’re not just bridging the gap, we’re building a shared platform for innovation, resilience, and inclusive growth. We are focusing the group’s developments on benefits for members, such as helping to place guest lecturers, building a talent pool for Industrial Advisory boards, helping with the UK’s Research Excellence Framework, student placements and much more. If you would like to get involved in the group or have any questions or inquiries then please reach out either to me or to Payam, or another Gambica member of staff via our Web site. n * Gambica is the trade association for the automation, control, instrumentation and laboratory technology sectors in the UK. You can get in touch with Nikesh Mistry on 020 7642 8094 or nikesh.mistry@gambica.org.uk, or via the Gambica Web site: www.gambica.org.uk “If UK industry is to remain globally competitive, it must tap into the intellectual capital housed within our universities.” 52 Septe,ber 2025 www.drivesncontrols.com Bridging the academicindustrial gap It often seems that the UK’s academics and industrial organisations speak different languages. But if the nation is to make the most of its talents in both sectors, these groups need to work more closely together. Nikesh Mistry*, Gambica’s sector head for automation, reports on a recent development that could help to bridge this gap.
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