Reimagining the future: The rise of entrepreneurial universities
UIIN is proud to announce the release of the Future of Universities Thoughtbook | Entrepreneurial Edition, the sixth instalment in our flagship series exploring the future of higher education. This edition focuses on the evolution of the entrepreneurial university, an institution designed to create societal and economic impact through innovation, collaboration, and empowered learners.
Today’s academic entrepreneurs walk a tightrope between optimism and realism: The hopeful belief in the potential of their ideas, tempered by the challenge of translating research into meaningful outcomes. As global challenges intensify, universities must embrace entrepreneurial mindsets, cultivate agility, and position themselves as engines of innovation.
Contributions from around the world
The Entrepreneurship Edition brings together 35 global thought leaders from academia, industry, policy, and innovation. Their contributions challenge familiar models and offer bold, sometimes provocative visions for the university of the future. From new structures of research commercialisation to interdisciplinary collaboration and external engagement, student empowerment and innovative education, and expanded definitions of scholarship, this edition highlights the cultural and structural shifts needed for universities to thrive.
In addition, it also reflects the growing movement we observe across UIIN’s research, consulting work, and community: A shift from entrepreneurship as “venture creation” to a broader set of capabilities. Now, self-efficacy, resilience, creativity, as well as the confidence to engage and co-create new knowledge and solutions come into focus.
Across its pages, contributors explore questions such as:
- How must universities transform to stay relevant in fast-changing environments?
- What forms of governance, culture, and strategy enable innovation to flourish?
- How can students and researchers become co-creators of knowledge and impact?
- What new roles will entrepreneurial universities play in shaping our collective future?
With visionary essays, real-world cases, reflective provocations and visions, the Entrepreneurial Edition invites readers to reimagine universities not as static institutions, but as evolving ecosystems of creativity and impact.
Get full access to the book
UIIN members receive exclusive access to the full version of the Future of Universities Thoughtbook | Entrepreneurial Edition, featuring all 35 contributions in their entirety. If you’re part of our member community, you can download your copy by clicking on the button below. Make sure to be logged in to your account!
Not yet a member? Join UIIN today to access this publication and a wide range of other member-only resources designed to support your collaboration and innovation journey.
Todd Davey (editor) is an Associate Professor at IMT-BS and Associate Partner at UIIN.
Madeline Arkins (editor) is a Project Officer at UIIN. In her work, she focuses on topics relating to social impact and innovation in regional ecosystems.
Arno Meerman (editor) is the CEO of UIIN.
Balzhan Orazbayeva (editor) is Manager Strategic Initiatives at UIIN.
Alep Blancas (editor) is a Policy Research and Marketing Associate at ICKR (EU).
