The University, the Information Superhighway and Regional Economic Development

Abstract

In this article, Laing Barden looks at the opportunities offered by the new information economy and, especially, the development of the information superhighway, for universities to play a central role in the economic development of their regions — a role which they must play to the full as the main producers of well trained graduates and new research findings essential to continuous innovation. Professor Barden sets his views in a worldwide context, assessing the strategies employed to spur regional development through university—industry cooperation, and then focuses on the situation in the UK, with specific reference to its response to the challenge of the information superhighway. He discusses in particular the Smart Isles programme, a partnership among some 20 international companies, universities and research organizations. Failure to meet the challenge of the rapidly expanding information economy, argues Professor Barden, will mean failure in a highly competitive global economy.