UGA’s Industry Forward symposium strengthens industry-university collaboration
University program aims to prepare faculty for industry partnerships
The University of Georgia’s Industry Forward program hosted its first symposium on Feb. 23, bringing together faculty, staff and industry partners at the UGA Georgia Center for Continuing Education and Hotel.
The one-day, conference-style event was designed for faculty to build foundational knowledge and skills around the program’s five core competencies: industry culture, UGA processes and procedures, communication, networking and relationship management. The symposium featured large group presentations, breakout sessions, panel discussions and structured networking activities.
“Innovation thrives when we bridge the gap between the classroom, the laboratory and the marketplace,” said Benjamin C. Ayers, the university’s senior vice president for academic affairs and provost. “This symposium underscores UGA’s commitment to supporting our faculty as they engage in meaningful, long-term collaborations with industry leaders.”
The event featured Todd Cleland, who serves as a senior fellow with University Industry Demonstration Partnership or UIDP, an international organization that helps universities and companies build strategic partnerships. Cleland facilitated UIDP’s Pitch Perfect curriculum, a program designed to prepare university researchers to present their research to potential company representatives for possible funding.
The symposium also included a panel of industry partners who offered their perspectives on what industry is seeking from research collaboration with academic partners. The panel included Jay Henry, head of sustainability and innovation at Tarkett Commercial.
“At Tarkett, we believe the most meaningful innovation happens at the intersection of rigorous research and real-world application. Our collaboration with the University of Georgia reflects our commitment to grounding product development in evidence, ensuring the built environment actively supports the people who use it,” Henry said.
UGA administrators and industry partners, from left to right, Nic Laconico, director of industry and foundation initiatives; Yovany Moreno, senior associate director, discovery screening – parasitology, Boehringer Ingelheim; Tom Fox, vice president, forest productivity and sustainability, Rayonier; Kyle Tschepikow, senior executive director of development and alumni relations; Mason Ailstock, president and CEO, Rowen Foundation; Jay Henry, head of sustainability and innovation, Tarkett; and Nate Nibbelink, professor of spatial ecology and geographic information science and associate vice president for research. (Photo by Justin Evans Photography)
“Academic partnerships help us ask better questions and, ultimately, deliver better outcomes. This Industry Forward symposium is a great tool for both UGA and industry to better understand each other’s needs, partnership expectations and what mutual success can look like,” Henry said.
Industry Forward is facilitated by the Office of Business Engagement in conjunction with other industry-facing units to support and equip faculty to engage with industry partners.
In addition to the symposium, the program offers cohort-based training opportunities, lunch-and-learn sessions, and thematic partnering workshops.
“It’s truly remarkable to see this program support faculty and provide an opportunity to learn how to engage more effectively with industry partners,” said Adam Milewski, UGA Hydrogeology and Remote Sensing Professor and head of the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences’ department of geology. “I am looking forward to seeing UGA’s industry engagement and research enterprise continue to grow.”
