Universities and Economic Development in Iran and the UK: A Comparative Study

Since their beginning, universities and higher education institutions have been cultural, scientific, and moral centers for their societies. At the present time, they also play a key role in economic development in their regions. In this respect, British universities are considered pioneering institutions with innovative strategies that can be a suitable model for Iranian universities to build economic capacity to accelerate the country's economic development. As the title suggests, the paper, by examining six factors, focuses on British universities' roles in the UK's economic development. In this regard, by comparing the contribution of British and Iranian universities to the economy, it is concluded that in the UK, the universities are detected as significant actors in economic development. In contrast, Iranian universities are not entirely recognized as essential players in the economy. The paper is performed by two methods of documentary and survey study. The research purpose is the promotion of the literature that shows how the higher education system in the UK prepares students in order to achieve economic development.