Industry Integrated Research and Teaching Initiative through the Faculty Industry Immersion Program (FIIP): A Descriptive Case Study

Abstract

This descriptive case study examines the design and implementation of the Faculty Industry Immersion Program (FIIP) as an industry integrated initiative within higher education aimed at strengthening academia industry collaboration. The program was developed to enhance student employability, improve curriculum relevance, and promote applied research engagement through structured industry participation. The study focuses on the leadership and execution of a finance-oriented FIIP project undertaken in collaboration with RMB Group. The initiative brought together faculty expertise, student involvement, and industry input in conducting applied research.

 It illustrates a collaborative framework in which research activities were aligned with real-world financial practices to support experiential learning. The case further outlines the key stages of implementation, including project selection, stakeholder engagement, student mentoring, methodological design, and integration of outcomes into teaching and curriculum development. Overall, it highlights how structured industry collaboration can enhance pedagogical practice and foster meaningful links between academic inquiry and professional application in finance education.