Paper Title
An Academic Community Of Practice Model (ACOPM) For Empowering Breakthrough Ideas In Multidisciplinary Environments

Abstract
There is little in the research literature on academic communities of practice that will engage academics in the development of breakthrough ideas and products increasing spirit of collaboration and innovation among colleagues in community. The aim of this paper is to explore appropriate academic collaborative design environments and create a model of academic communities of practice. This research was based on a qualitative approach where observations and document sources were used to gather data. A community of practice group consisting of a researcher, amechanical engineer, a knowledge expert and an administrator was observed and their experiences were investigated through document sources. AnACoP model was developed based on an extensive literature survey and innovative experience of four experts formed into a multidisciplinary academic CoP group. Keywords: Academic Communities Of Practice Model, Breakthrough Ideas Environment, Innovation, Multidisciplinary, Community