Move to the Fourth-Generation Universities: A Systematic Scoping Review of Educational and Management Strategies

Abstract

Background: Higher education is not uniform. There are significant differences between higher education systems among different countries and even among institutions in a similar education or system; therefore, identifying the various types of entrepreneurial activities helps the mission of fourth-generation universities.Objectives: The purpose of this study was to introduce the most important educational strategies to move towards fourth-generation universities.Methods: We systematically searched the international databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, ISC, SID, and Google Scholar, until 2021 using some relevant keywords. Then, screening and selecting eligible articles according to inclusion criteria were done by two researchers independently.Results: Soft skills training, sustainable development training, training business law, reviewing the continuous training of professors, promoting ideation and creativity to solve problems, development of interdisciplinary training, decentralization of government accelerators and deployment of private accelerators, privatization of higher education, and internationalization are the most important educational strategies to move towards fourth-generation universities. One of the critical aspects and perspectives of the fourth-generation university is the development of job skills, professions, and competencies and empowerment of students and professors in line with the process of national development and solving society's problems scientifically.Conclusion: This research's analytical results help the universities design and implement their strategies to reach the fourth-generation universities according to the standard implementation models of the fourth-generation universities.

Keywords

• universities
• education
• policy
• fourth-generation