Industry Knowledge Clinics: A Practical Model for Bridging the Academia-Industry Gap

Abstract

Uganda’s national development aspirations, particularly the industrialisation goals outlined in the National Development Plan III (NDP III) and the National Industrial Policy (NIP) 2020, rely heavily on translating knowledge from academic and research institutions into practical applications within industry. However, significant barriers impede this process, especially for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs). These barriers include limited access to technology, skills gaps often due to informal training, difficulty understanding complex technical literature, and weak formal connections between knowledge creators and users.