The Role Universities and Research Institutes Plays in Science and Technology Development and Policies Supporting Them

The The role of universities since the inception of the Bologna University in the late 11th century until the 19th century, fulfilling education function has been the concern of universities. Gradually, the increased importance of science policy in the early 20th century, universities and research institutes became responsible for research function as well. In addition to the two mentioned principal functions, some other functions have been proposed for universities and research institutes known as the third mission. Amplified significance of technology and innovation policy since the mid-20th century led to technology development efforts by universities through mechanisms such as collaboration with industry and founding spin-offs. In recent years, with the emergence of systemic view to innovation and then innovation systems, the role of universities and research institutes has also become of more salience in innovating and creating economic profits. More recently some scholars, by coining developmental universities concept, have raised the role of universities and research institutes in promoting innovation and entrepreneurship, in other words, playing a social and economic part based on the needs of their proximal communities. Along with the changes in role of universities and research institutes, policies have been designed and implemented by governments to strengthen the functions of education, research, and the third mission in different countries. In this article, various aspects of the role and influence of universities and research institutes in the system of science, technology and innovation and the course of their evolution are discussed. Two case studies of activities, especially focused on their third mission, of two universities in Iran are presented in the last section.