Value of Research-Intensive Universities

For decades, the IARU Universities and their partners have fostered excellence in research, education and service. Yet in most, or all, of our respective countries there is an increasing need to justify the expenditure on research, education and Universities generally in terms of economic benefit.

Following the decision at the IARU Presidents' meeting in April 2010, a workshop on the Value of Research Intensive Universities was held on 19-20 October 2010.

A discussion format was adopted. Two opening presentations were delivered by high level external speakers, representing government and industry respectively, to inform the subsequent discussion about the perspectives of key stakeholders. The participants heard from IARU member universities (UC Berkeley and ETH Zurich) that had carried out "value exercises"; and discussed the major values of research intensive universities in terms of education, research and direct economic contributions in three breakout groups. The groups proposed key values, and potential methodologies to demonstrate them qualitatively and quantitatively.

The workshop derived a non-binding IARU statement and guideline for IARU partners to demonstrate the value of research-intensive universities.  The statement will be put up for review at the 2011 Presidents' Meeting.