Why Better Industrial/Academic Links Are Needed If There is to Be an Effective Software Engineering Workforce

The case is made that to address the current problems of a graduate and skills shortage industry and academia need to work together to present a positive image of what are challenging and exciting disciplines and ensure that there is an effective workforce. Elements of a four year research project concerned with investigating and analyzing industry/academic links is reported which has provided insights into the challenges and problems that exist today. The project has involved: running a series of international workshops to identify and evaluate a of range industry/academic interactions, a literature review centered on CSEE&T conference proceedings, and a series of activities that have enabled an investigation of roles played by government, professional bodies, industry and industrial bodies and how they interact with academia. A number of fundamental problems are identified that currently hinder co-operation. Finally suggestions are made with regard to improving the current situation.