Peranan Institusi Pengajian Tinggi dalam Pembangunan Industri Bioteknologi di Wilayah Iskandar, Johor.

The role of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), especially public research universities (PRU), is considered to be an important agent in enhancing the knowledge economy of the 21st century. The rapid development of the industry is particularly associated with the role of HEIs as a centre of knowledge that drives regional economic development and human capital. Development in the Iskandar region, Johor has shown the development of a competitive city region with education hub, high-tech industries, recreation and international urban centre. Based on this, the paper analyses the role of HEIs by selecting PRU as the main focus. The question is, to what extent the university is integrated with knowledge-based economic activities? The objective of this article is to (1) identify the role of PRU in the innovation and promotion of biotechnology industry; (2) study the knowledge exchange mechanisms and the formation of university-industry networks in the region; and (3) summarize how the knowledge-based economy is effective in the growth of biotech industry. It involves the collection of secondary data from newspapers, brochures and reports and in-depth interviews with university officials and research institutions. Content analysis methods have been used for data analysis. The findings show that HEIs form a network of government-industry support systems whereby PRU generates expertise, technology resources and effective knowledge for the workforce and development of biotech industry. Science parks, incubators and government incentives in the form of financial, world-class infrastructure, skilled manpower and business-friendly environment also influences transnational investment in the biotechnology industry of Iskandar Region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]