Institutional and cultural barriers in university-business collaboration: perspectives from Colombian HEIs
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.71112/xhaek488Keywords:
work-based learning, university-industry collaboration, higher education, institutional barriers, educational policyAbstract
This article examines the main barriers faced by Colombian higher education institutions (HEIs) in establishing effective university-industry collaboration mechanisms. Using a qualitative approach, we analyze open-ended responses from a national survey completed by institutional leaders from 41 HEIs. The findings lead to a typology of barriers grouped into two main dimensions: institutional and cultural. Key obstacles include the absence of specialized units for external engagement, limited organizational autonomy, insufficient qualified personnel, and a business culture reluctant to commit to educational processes. We conclude that strengthening WBL requires not only regulatory reforms but also changes in the organizational culture of HEIs and the cooperation ecosystem with the productive sector.
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