On the role of the university in the knowledge economy

Abstract

This paper draws on recent conceptual approaches to economic growth, in which the accumulation of knowledge is the fundamental driving force behind growth, to examine the contemporary role of the university. It suggests that the functions that society commonly attributes to the university are beginning to be shared with a wide range of institutions in the context of the knowledge-based economies, so that the university is faced with demands that require a strengthening of its ability to create and disseminate knowledge. While the role of universities is in need of some rethinking, their institutional integrity must be preserved. To cope with the variety of demands and a continuously changing environment, it is argued that the higher-education system needs to be diversified. Specific policy proposals are made in terms of institutional arrangements that assure diversity, while maintaining institutional integrity.

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