Entrepreneurial universities in a knowledge-based economy: The case of National University of Singapore

Abstract

In the emerging a??New Economya?? where knowledge and ideas are considered strategic components of economic advantage, it stands to reason that the university, as a traditional repository of knowledge, would take on an increasingly direct role in economic growth. One key reason for this is the shortening time frame between investigation and utilization, and the increasing recognition of the twin theoretical and practical impetus to research and innovation. The aim of this thesis is to examine the role of the National University of Singapore (NUS), in light of Singaporea??s shift towards knowledge based capitalism. Considering the recent emphasis in life sciences and developments in the university sector, a a??triple helix modela??, examining the evolutionary and dynamic communication patterns between university, industry and government, would be adopted to understand NUSa??s emergence as an entrepreneurial university. Finally, this approach opens up windows of reflection into the implications and future role of the university.