Key Difference – Affiliate vs Associate
Affiliate and associate are two words that often go together although there is a difference between the two words. Both affiliate and associate can be used as nouns as well as verbs. Mainly affiliate refers to being linked or connected to an individual or an organization. On the other hand, the word associate refers to connecting something with something else. The key difference between the two words is that while the word affiliate consists of a more formal relationship, the term associate can be used for both formal and informal relationships. The words affiliate and associate are used in relation to universities and colleges as well. An affiliate university refers to an educational establishment that mostly operates independently, although it can be influenced by a larger body in terms of programs, policies etc. On the other hand, an associate university is a university that has a working partnership with another academic body where the two work towards common goals. This article attempts to provide an overall understanding of the two words while emphasizing the difference.
What is Affiliate?
The word affiliate consists of a myriad of meanings as a noun and a verb.
As a noun, it can be used to refer to an individual or an organization that is linked to another. The specialty is that this individual or establishment is secondary. In other words, it is attached to a larger network.
He was an affiliate of the Union.
The organization decided to connect with the British affiliates.
As a verb, it refers to being attached to an organization in an official capacity. This can refer to an individual as well to another organization.
It is mandatory that all students affiliate with the political association of the university.
The local college was affiliated to a foreign university.
The local college was affiliated to a foreign university.
What is Associate?
Similar to the word affiliate, the word associate also consists of a variety of meanings as a noun and a verb.
As a noun, an associate can be used to refer to a companion or a colleague. For an example, in a business, a partner can be considered as an associate. In some institutional frameworks, the word is used to refer to a member who only has partial privileges.
He is an associate of mine.
As a verb, associate refers to connecting something with something else.
They always associate black with evil.
The experts have been associated with the new policy framework from its inception.
It can be used to refer to joining in an association, union, etc.
The employees associated in the labor union to fight for their rights.
The university students were associated with the human rights movement.
The word associate can be used as an adjective as well. It denotes having equal status to another or a group of individuals or else to having partial privileges.
He was appointed as an associate director of the firm.
The university students were associated with the human rights movement.
What is the difference between Affiliate and Associate?
As a noun:
Affiliate: Affiliate refers to an individual or organization that is linked to another.
Associate: Associate can be used to refer to a companion or a colleague.
As a verb:
Affiliate: Affiliate refers to being attached to an organization in an official capacity.
Associate: Associate refers to connecting something with something else.
Relationship:
Affiliate: Affiliate highlights a formal relationship.
Associate: Associate can be used for both formal and informal relationships.
Universities:
Affiliate University: An affiliate university refers to an educational establishment that mostly operates independently, although it can be influenced by a larger body in terms of programs, policies etc.
Associate University: An associate university is a university that has a working partnership with another academic body where the two work towards common goals.
Image Courtesy:
1.Sydney University main building By Toby Hudson – Own work, [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
2. People’s March Anti-Xenophobia By Dyltong – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0,via Wikimedia Commons
