In an era defined by complex global challenges and increasing demands for sustainable, inclusive growth, higher education institutions are under growing pressure to demonstrate tangible societal and local impact. At the same time, universities are expected to play a more active role in innovation, skills development, and regional economic transformation.

The concept of the Fourth Generation University (4GU) has emerged as a response to these expectations. Building on earlier models of teaching- and research-focused universities, 4GUs are distinguished by their deliberate role as orchestrators of place-based innovation ecosystems. They actively connect academia with industry, government, and civil society through the Quadruple Helix, aligning education, research, and innovation with regional priorities.

This keynote will introduce the foundational concepts underpinning Fourth Generation Universities and outline the core characteristics that differentiate them, including entrepreneurial orientation, new partnership models, and their function as catalysts for regional development through skills, research, and innovation. The presentation will also provide an update on the latest progress made on building the 4GU community since its launch a year ago.