Myth and Reality of Entrepreneurial Universities in Iran

Abstract

Development of infrastructures and facilities shows has started entrepreneurship journey in Iranian scientific system. Development of infrastructures and facilities represents the beginning of entrepreneurship journey in Iranian scientific system. However, Iranian entrepreneurial university is not myth, but it has not been come true yet, especially in the field of social entrepreneurship. The current situation of university represents or indicates the complex and challenging journey ahead and suggests initiatives to transform Iranian universities into more entrepreneurial institutions. There are two main necessary conditions for this vital journey. One, Iranian universities not only must pay close attention to the coherence between them and the environment, but also, they should avoid the ivory tower attitude and take into careful consideration about the specificities of their context and the needs of the stakeholders. Second, it is need to change academic culture and attitudes and promote and diffuse entrepreneurial culture and entrepreneurial values within each institution. Changing in academic culture and attitudes is second point, universities should promote and diffuse entrepreneurial culture and values within each institution. Turning the traditional university into an entrepreneurial university is a cultural matter, and it needs entrepreneurship training, especially skills training to individuals. Based on this study, shaping and effectiveness of entrepreneurial university don't possible without systematic development of skill training and entrepreneurial education for students, faculty members, managers and staff, and reinforcement of entrepreneurial attitudes in university human resources. Also, the main weakness of academic entrepreneurship is overemphasis of economic-technical entrepreneurship dimensions and low attention on socio-cultural entrepreneurship. One of the key perspectives of the third generation university is development of professional skills and competences and empowerment of students and faculty in direction of national development process and society problems solving. In the academic entrepreneurship journey, we should eliminate weaknesses, strength strengths and increase universities responsibility and accountability. Entrepreneurial university and the 3G University should serve society in socio-economic dimensions.