Towards an “Entrepreneurial University” Model to Support Knowledge-Based Economic Development: The Case of the National University of Singapore

SummaryIn common with other Newly Industrialized Economies in Asia, Singapore is moving toward a knowledge-based strategy for growth. Increasing prominence has been given to the role of Singapore’s universities in stimulating economic growth through industrially relevant research, technology commercialization, high-tech spin-offs, attracting foreign talent, and inculcating entrepreneurial mindsets. The National University of Singapore (NUS) is examined as a case study of how East Asian universities are responding to the globalization of the knowledge economy. It is argued that a shift toward an “entrepreneurial university” model [Etzkowitz, H., Webster, A., Gebhart, C., & Terra, B. R. C. (2000). The future of the university and the university of the future: Evolution of ivory tower to entreprenenurial paradigm. Research Policy, 29(2), 313–330] is critical for NUS to contribute effectively to Singapore’s transition to a knowledge-based economy.