Strategic Studies of public policy

Strategic Studies of public policy

Proposing a policy framework to promote research and the third mission in universities and research institutions in Iran

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors
1 Faculty Member, Institute for Science and Technology Studies, Shahid Beheshti University
2 PhD student of Futures Studies, Faculty of Governance, Tehran University
Abstract
In addition to education and research, universities and research institutions are also responsible for other functions such as research, entrepreneurship, socialization and participation in the development of their surrounding environment, which is also known as the third mission. In this regard, the aim of this article is to analyze the functions of research and the third mission in Iranian universities and research institutions, identify challenges and provide policy solutions to solve these challenges. The current research is qualitative and descriptive in terms of type and purpose, and its orientation is applied-developmental. The required secondary data is extracted from documents, reports, books and research background. Primary data was also collected through 20 semi-structured interviews between March and June 2023. Based on the findings of this article, in total, the challenges identified in the 4 functions of conducting basic research and at the edge of knowledge, conducting demand-oriented research for industry, society and government, entrepreneurship and commercialization of research and technological achievements and paying attention to national needs and regional and sustainable extraction and then corresponding to each challenge, policies were proposed to promote these functions. The findings of this research have practical and policy implications and suggestions for science and technology policy makers and university managers.
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