Towards an “Entrepreneurial University” Model to Support Knowledge-Based Economic Development: The Case of the National University of Singapore

• Published in: World development Vol. 35; no. 6; pp. 941 - 958
• Main Authors: Wong, Poh-Kam, Ho, Yuen-Ping, Singh, Annette
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01-06-2007; Elsevier; Pergamon Press Inc
• Series: World Development
• Subjects: Asia; Colleges & universities; Commercialization; Economic Development; Economic growth; entrepreneurial university; Entrepreneurs; Entrepreneurship; Globalization; Industry; Newly industrializing countries; Singapore; small newly industrialized economies; Studies; Technological Innovations; Technology; Universities; university technology commercialization; university–industry link; Singapore; Asia; entrepreneurial university; Singapore; university–industry link; university technology commercialization; Asia; small newly industrialized economies
• ISSN: 0305-750X; 1873-5991
• DOI: 10.1016/j.worlddev.2006.05.007

In common with other Newly Industrialized Economies in Asia, Singapore is moving toward a knowledge-based strategy for growth. Increasing prominence has been given to the role of Singapore’s universities in stimulating economic growth through industrially relevant research, technology commercialization, high-tech spin-offs, attracting foreign talent, and inculcating entrepreneurial mindsets. The National University of Singapore (NUS) is examined as a case study of how East Asian universities are responding to the globalization of the knowledge economy. It is argued that a shift toward an “entrepreneurial university” model [Etzkowitz, H., Webster, A., Gebhart, C., & Terra, B. R. C. (2000). The future of the university and the university of the future: Evolution of ivory tower to entreprenenurial paradigm.
Research Policy, 29(2), 313–330] is critical for NUS to contribute effectively to Singapore’s transition to a knowledge-based economy.