Collaboration with industry and doctoral education at Politecnico di Milano

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1 Collaboration with industry and doctoral education at Politecnico di Milano Prof. Barbara Pernici Head of the PhD School Politecnico di Milano

2 Politecnico di Milano 2 State university started in 1863 Initial mission: training and research on technical subjects to provide graduates to the local industries Areas Engineering Architecture Design

3 Lombardy region million inhabitants heavily industrialized, it covers most of the topics which are put forward for the Smart Specialization strategy Regional support is more oriented to industry rather than academic research.

4 Politecnico di Milano: students and faculties students: undergraduate graduate 1100 PhD candidates 1350 faculties 1000 postdocs 6 campus in Italy, 1 campus abroad (Shanghai)

5 PhD short history PHD PROGRAM IN ITALY STARTED PhD Programs in Departments According to Bologna process 3 years 2001 PhD School started Coordinates PhD programs and provides central services 2014 XXX cycle (annual call, starting in November) First formal accreditation of PhD programmes by National Department of Research and education

6 Politecnico di Milano School of Doctoral Programmes 6 18 Programmes 360 new PhD candidates enrolled each year ~ 30% International students 30 ECTS credits at least of formal education required, ~ 200 third-level courses, taught by local and International Experts Research in international environment (international projects, professors, PhD candidates)

7 PhD Programmes 7

8 Placement questionnaire PoliMI PhDs 2007 and 2008

9 Where are our PhDs today ITALY OR Abroad? 17.5% work abroad (18.8% of PhD in Engineering, 9% of PhD in Architettura, 23.7% of PhD in Design) 45 countries Main ones are USA, UK, Switzerland, Germany, France, Spain, Canada, Brazil e China Analysis Career Service Feb. 2014

10 DOVE SONO OGGI UNIVERSITA O AZIENDA? University Profession Large enterprise SME Public Body

11 Motivations for experimenting industrial PhD 11 Issues with traditional programmes Title recognition PhD title still not well recognized by industry in Italy Many PhDs after find postdoc or employment in another country Type of competencies Focus on specific research topic No managerial competence Not willing to change subject or to be a manager

12 Matching university and industrial research 12 The main issues related to these positions are the following: matching the research themes proposed by industry with the interests of the advisors and of the candidates aligning long term research goals in academic research and shortmedium term goals of industry agreeing on activities to be performed by PhD candidates

13 Industrial PhD at Politecnico di Milano 13 Scholarships on specific themes: funded scholarships by research contracts and/or industrial partners Executive PhD Track for researchers employed in companies (usually 4 years) Alto apprendistato (higher education training) Individual tracks for young employees (under 30 years) Executive PhD Program in Management, Economics and Industrial Engineering Starts like a Master, continues with research and PhD thesis (4 years) European Projects with industry

14 Industry grants 14 ~ 40% of the PhD Grants are funded by research contracts and/or Industrial Partners Specific themes Sometimes difficult to identify suitable interested candidates Often a job is offered to the candidate upon completion when the grant is funded by industry

15 Industry employees as PhD candidates 15 Industrial employees may follow a specifically designed PhD path, agreed upon by their firm and the University (Executive PhD) in this case the usual minimum duration is 4 years A contract is signed between Politecnico and company IP Specific research funding (optional) Supervisor and industrial tutor 1/3 time at university Started in 2010 Around candidates a year, 8 completed

16 Some critical points with executive PhD 16 Industry viewiscon trate dai dottorandi: 1. Study programme not tailored to industry needs 2. Length and uncertainty 3. Role of supervisor University view 1. Lower scientific and teaching productivity of candidates 2. Limited committment of companies ( benefit ) PhD executive view: 1.Programme tailored to full time candidates (little flexibility) 2.Methodological approach oriented towards academic activity

17 Main comment from candidates: 17 More the activities of the research project are close to the company core business, more successful is the program. Such a condition guarantees a good overlap of research and work activity. In this way the resource can perform research is a continuative way, creating added value for the company, and enacting a technology transfer process between university and industry

18 How to create long-standing relationships 18 Strategic corporate partnerships Marie Curie ITN projects Special programmes

19 Strategic corporate partnerships

20 Marie Slodowska Curie Programme 20 ITN projects Focus on topic International calls Long term collaboration with involved industry

21 An alternative path 21 Executive PhD Program in Management, Economics and Industrial Engineering (since ) jectives To provide a flexible education program reserved for Executives working in companies or Public Administrations and willing to develop high level methodological skills in the management of research and innovation To strengthen university industry relations developing new forms of collaboration aimed at developing innovation while creating future innovation leaders Modular Structure First two years: Master in Innovation and Technology Management Second two years: PhD in Management, Economics and Industrial Engineering (research and thesis) International Collaborationsollaborations Aalborg KTH Twente Business School

22 Career Service 22 Career Service follows PhD candidates during their studies and professional career, offering focused and personalized services: Career advisory: a set of meetings and courses to understand career objectives and to acquire skills essential to find a job Stage: a support for internship or apprenticeship Placement: a service in direct contact with the business giving access to job offer, meetings with companies, internships.

23 Further information 23 Web site

24 24 QUESTIONS?