I am one such person. Working in the industry first gives one a good experience of how things work in the real world - the applicaitons of scientific priciples. With a solid experience in industry my belief is that the person would be a better academician and teacher/researcher than someone who has never stepped out of the university.

You are right Dr. Srini Vasan

Industry to academic switch is good as real world problem solution can be done by research in educational system