PTC Online Consultation Project
The relationship between government, academia and industry is a key component of a successful knowledge based economy. Government is a primary research funder, academia is where the research takes place and industry is where the research is commercialised. The nature of this relationship is constantly changing and the current trend is toward greater collaboration. In its 12th report the PTC stated, "There is an opportunity to boost the return on … investment by strengthening the linkages between academia where the much of the research takes place and industry where it can be commercialised."
This has also been identified in the broader Canadian context by The Public Policy Forum, which held a conference entitled Science Day in Canada in July of 2009. Collaboration was one of the key themes of the resulting report, Innovation Nation: Building a Culture and Practice of Innovation in Canada. It noted that in a successful innovation jurisdiction, "Success will depend more than ever on universities, businesses, suppliers, customers and the social sector collaborating more effectively …", and that "The private sector and research community need to transform the nature of their relationship from a weak, one-way dynamic to a more intensive two-way pattern."
The PTC held a public online discussion on this important topic. Although the discussion is now closed, key themes from the consultation can be found in the 13th Report.
