Expanding Roles for US Research Universities in Economic Development

Abstract

In the USA, the responsibility for the development of new knowledge and the provision of advanced education and knowledge has remained very predominantly with the research universities. The author argues that it is important to recognize the value of basic science research and of social science studies which do not have an identifiable short-term application — studies in Serbo—Croat language and culture, for example, were of little tangible value in the 1970s but their existence and continuation have been more than justified in recent years. In this context, recognizing the central importance of knowledge in social and economic development and the universities as the main centres for this essential resource, the author examines how the research universities can best supply ‘knowledge linkages' and contribute to regional economic development, in terms of specific approaches and actions. While technology transfer programmes, science parks and applied degrees are all needed, universities have also to reaffirm the significance of their basic research and liberal arts programmes and at the same time to establish and develop linkages between a variety of academic programmes and a variety of constituencies within their regional communities.