For those who had the opportunity to give lectures and design academic programs in the 1970s and early 1980s, the goal of an academic program at that time was to produce graduates who could meet the needs of the public and private sectors.

The function of universities back then, known as First Generation Universities (UG1), was focused solely on teaching and learning.

However, with rapid economic development, universities began to focus not only on teaching and learning but also on research. This is known as Second Generation Universities (UG2). Lectures were not only based on knowledge from textbooks but also on knowledge derived from lecturers' research.

As a result, the content of lectures included not only knowledge from others but also knowledge from the lecturers themselves, based on their research. Students were not only given knowledge but also exposed to research skills.

Today, an increasing number of universities actively commercialize their research results and knowledge, in addition to their duties of teaching and scientific research. Research outcomes are identified as sources of funding and wealth generation.

Universities are seen as catalysts for new entrepreneurial activities by leveraging knowledge from their research discoveries. This is known as Third Generation Universities (UG3).

However, in developing countries, most universities are still at the UG2 level, with research focusing on output rather than outcomes.

While research outputs such as journal publications, citations, and patents are very important, the real value of research lies in the value and wealth generated from commercialization, with entrepreneurs commercializing research products.

What are the implications of UG3's development for teaching and learning and the graduates it produces?

Looking at the development of universities, students educated at UG1 were trained to identify facts and uphold truth. At UG2, students were introduced to research skills to investigate facts and truths.

But at UG3, students are nurtured to become entrepreneurs. The goal of university education is not just to get a job but to produce entrepreneurs who can commercialize UG3 research products.

At Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), for example, there are several research and innovation outputs in agriculture, such as controlled environments, precision agriculture, biological control, biofertilizers, and new crop varieties that can be commercialized by graduates.

The question is, can academically-oriented universities produce entrepreneurs? Specifically, tech-entrepreneurs who can commercialize high-tech and innovative products.

To realize the birth of graduates with entrepreneurial attributes, UPM runs the Agricultural Entrepreneur Incubation Program to produce viable agro-entrepreneurs as catalysts for the commercialization of the agricultural sector.

Government-private partnership

Through this program, UPM students have successfully established 85 business companies involving 278 agro-entrepreneurs.

To ensure the sustainability of this incubation program, strategic partnerships with government agencies and private companies are crucial. Currently, the program has strategic partnerships with the Department of Agriculture, Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (FAMA), Farmers' Organization Authority, Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI), Malaysian Fisheries Development Authority (LKIM), Agrobank, and the Entrepreneur Group Economic Fund (TEKUN).

Strategic partnerships with private companies provide guidance to students participating in this program.

In reality, today's graduates no longer possess just knowledge and skills in a particular field; they also need entrepreneurial attributes.

Therefore, universities need to adopt the UG3 model to provide an entrepreneurial ecosystem and, importantly, enable graduates to commercialize the products and innovations developed by university researchers.

The author is from the Faculty of Agriculture, Universiti Putra Malaysia.

Click here for more information: https://api.bharian.com.my/kolumnis/2018/03/396172/melahirkan-graduan-tekno-usahawan 

Date of Input: | Updated: |