The panellists (4-5 eminent researchers, experts, leaders and professionals) will have 15 minutes each to present their perspectives about the cooperation between academia and industry by taking into account the best practices and benefits, as well as the obstacles and failures. The role of national and international policies and incentives related to the IT will also be explored as well as the university’s orientation towards its third mission. Similarities, particularities and complementarity of academic and industrial research shall be elaborated and real world examples and initiatives are welcome. The aim is to get more insights into the needs of both sides in order to boost the successful and sustainable university-business interaction.