External Sector Expectations. [The Case of the University of Zulia]

To develop a framework in which the U of Zulia in Venezuela could collaborate with local & regional producers of goods & services, qualified informants in 13 subsectors of services & production were interviewed on their expectations for university activities in science & technology production, human resources development, technical assistance & services, & cultural sports activities. Analysis showed that, for employers, the university was basically an institution forming human resources, while research & extension functions were secondary. For 50+% of the respondents, physical plant machines & equipment were considered sophisticated, while many felt the university lacked quality & intensity in the areas of culture & sports. The relationship between the university & the external sector was viewed as relatively unstructured, distant, & inconsistent; the vast majority of those interviewed reported communication problems, due as much to internal organization & politics as to external factors. 16 Graphs, 6 References. Adapted from the source document.