Except of course, if the money came from Shell. Then it'd be alright. (!!)
So I would not be surprised if some of that particular culture is more pervasive within Europe - but this is a question I have which I've not researched and is extremely hard to research sitting behind a computer in South Africa.
So, yes, maybe private businesses will find it in their hearts to put money into an independent research trust, but I don't think it's likely.
If a researcher wants to consult or be employed with a private business, fine, but university funding shouldn't depend on that. "It's the statue, man, The Statue."
I agree that a university funding for research should not depend solely on private business funding. Which is why it should remain third stream money.
Migeru:
The problem with accepting non-charity money from a for-profit organisation is that it generally comes with intellectual strings attached.
Let me answer that one over three years...
But it doesn't happen often. "It's the statue, man, The Statue."
