A perspective of technology transfer from the University of North Carolina system associated with training and development strategies in Egypt

Purpose of the study. This study examined three interrelated premises associated with technology transfer. The study links science and technology, and technology transfer to economic development in Egypt. Egyptian scholars in the University of North Carolina system can be considered one (of many potential) source(s) of technology transfer and foundation upon which a strong technological base can be established in Egypt. Effectiveness of technology transfer from the University of North Carolina System and economic development in Egypt are equally supported by a network of collaborations and enhancements both at home and from abroad.;Methodology. This study was developed within a conceptual framework and supported by interviews, questionnaires, document analysis, literature reviews, and qualitative analysis.;Conclusions. Collected data revealed that Egyptian graduate students/scholars in the University of North Carolina system are at the graduate level, and are in the fields of mathematics, the physical sciences, computer science, engineering, and medicine. They are enrolled in a variety of programs such as short-term programs, the Channel Systems, or regular graduate programs.;The University of North Carolina system with its sixteen campuses provides a broad information base for the study. Offices of international scholars and students services offer a variety of services to Egyptian scholars. University of North Carolina administrators and faculty members responsible for international programs have vested interests in technology transfer. Faculty members/scholars from Egypt were graduate students, are current advisors to graduate students, and are involved in technology transfer through the TOKTEN Program.;Egyptian national planners and administrators of higher education have embraced an economic-development policy backed by science and technology. The 1993 Technology Development Program comprehensively mirrors the Egyptian government development policy. The (TDP) is applied in research questionnaires as guidelines and focus for interviewees' response, and as blueprints for research analysis.;Collaborations from Egypt involve cooperation in research with scholars in the University of North Carolina System. University/industry cooperations and involved Egyptian higher technological institutes in training are necessary to support and enhance the transfer of technology from the University of North Carolina System.;Recommendations. (1) Maintain the graduate level, short-term programs, and the "Channel System" of studying abroad for students and scholars in the fields of mathematics, the physical sciences, computer science, engineering, and medicine. (2) Maintain offered services to students and scholars from Egypt by the University of North Carolina system's offices of international scholars. (3) Maintain Egyptian faculty's role of advising Egyptian students in the University of North Carolina System, in addition to their contribution to The TOKTEN Program which guarantees a continuous flow of information and technology to Egypt. (4) Include technology in modern curricula in Egypt, expand education's share from public funding, and train on state-of-the-art technology and technology transfer. (5) Concentrate on technological preparation and increase industry's role in training in Egypt to avoid the high cost of training and retraining abroad. (6) Adapt research and technologies within the framework of the Egyptian national capabilities and the Egyptian setting. (7) Increase University/industry collaboration in Education and Training in Egypt. (8) As suggested, return to a community colleges system in Egypt as an answer for filling the gap between university studies and high school and avoid struggling with many college graduates and fewer technically trained individuals.