Universities can contribute to development in several ways such as undertaking entrepreneurial activities to improve economic and social performance, getting involved with communities to address social needs through R&D, and conducting industrial R&D to create spin-off firms and technology parks. However, universities need to transform to play these roles and new institutions may need to focus on business incubation and community development.

1. "Universities can contribute to development in several ways. They can undertake entrepreneurial activities that aim to improve regional or national economic and social performance. They can get involved with their communities, gaining direct knowledge about social needs, some of which could be addressed through R&D activities. They can conduct industrial R&D; create spin-off firms; participate in capital formation projects, such as technology parks and business incubator facilities; introduce entrepreneurial training and internships into their curricula; and encourage students to take research from the university to firms. Universities need to be transformed to play these roles. Eventually, new institutions need to be created that focus on business incubation and community development." -UN Millennium Project Task Force on Science, Technology, and Innovation