Consortia Collaboration: A Compelling Mechanism for Achieving Institutional Growth and Extending Significant Impacts to SMEs  in the Region 

The effective management of an industry and energy R&D consortium with a regional entrustment calls for fulfilling three basic Consortia tenets; namely:
? It operates for the benefit of its public---consider its members as also part and parcels of its public or customer/clients base; ? It should serve as a means (avenue) for collaborative actions in areas of common interests,  objectives and 
extended publics;? Its priority and point of convergence is industry and 
energy sectors. operating within its territorial  (regional) entrustment or commission 

These tenets must be carried out by the Consortia through a mechanism that should be able to  integrate the strengths and capabilities of  its members.  This mechanism should serve as one of the most important  "status indicator" whether a Consortium is headed towards success, irrelevance, individuality or eventual disintegration.  Ensuring that such a mechanism is in place and robust, 
therefore should be the uppermost agenda as it  leads to a truly effective management and operation of any Consortium. 

What is this mechanism?  It is "Inter-agency collaboration". Consortia members need a resolute conviction to implement programs and activities that shall initiate and progressively elevate the character and objects of inter-agency collaboration. The need to recognize that, as a group, one of their tasks is to be able to formulate and implement collaborative programs that will bring about 
regional development or significant regional impacts. Consortia should look closely at potential collaborative R&D programs, particularly those where they can intermix or integrate the R&D program components with the critical institution building/upgrading needed by its members. Such types of developmental R&D programs are more likely to be considered by funding agencies.

There are compelling reasons for Consortia to institute collaborative activities that respond to the demands and needs of the industries. Limited resources and altogether utilizing all member's expertise and technical facilities to respond to industry needs are just two of the reasons. It cannot be overemphasized that collectively harnessing the varying strengths of member institutions provides the crucial complementation, thereby achieving formidable combination of strengths to respond to industry's technical needs and problems. 

What does it entail to achieve Consortia collaboration? First, Consortia needs to evolve skills in scanning the environment for emerging trends and market opportunities including technical service requirements of sectoral industries. With the fast technological pace, it needs to keep up regular industry consultations so as to determine on a timely basis the prevailing conditions, needs, problems and demands of sectoral industries. Finally, to act with dispatch and collective strength in delivering relevant actions with valued impacts. 

Consortium members need to put less emphasis on individualistic research for research sake. They need to put their collective sights, resources and expertise on niche areas that will improve the productivity and competitiveness of regional industries. Members need to come together to plan, identify, and implement activities that will redound to the most significant impact to the region in general and for the industries in particular. 

In essence, Consortium should zestfully strive for collaboration as it is a most compelling mechanism for achieving institutional growth and a potent instrument for extending significant impacts to SMEs in the region.