Emergence of Asian Universities as Centres of New Knowledge Generation and a Base for National Competitiveness

Abstract

The rise of Asia in the global, knowledge-based economy in the last decade is closely associated with the rise of knowledge institutions of higher learning and scientific research2. Three features stand out and are indicative of the trend. The first is the tremendous growth of “human and knowledge capital” made possible by teaching and research excellence in the leading universities. Historically speaking, most leading universities in Asia have been performing these roles so as to make an impact on the society and economy. However what is of significance is the development of coupling teaching/research with innovation and at the same time forging university-private sector links with various actors and agencies, in the respective national systems of innovation (NSI)3. That is, universities are being re-positioned as frontiers of innovation in NSI, wherein most new technologies (biotechnology, nano, new materials, ICTs etc) have become science based. The third is the impact of globalization and the globalization of innovation and the emergence of “new” knowledge sites now being extended to the Asian region. Leading universities have the additional task of tapping into, or networking with, these globally dispersed knowledge networks and institutional sites.