Knowledge Economy and its Role in Serving Society in Jordanian Universities

Abstract

Objectives: The study aimed to identify the role of the knowledge economy in serving the community within Jordanian universities.

Methods: This study employed the Analytic-Synthetic Approach, deemed suitable for the type of research. It relied on primary and secondary sources discussing the subject of the knowledge economy, as well as reports issued by organizations and institutions concerned with this topic. The study comprised three main axes: the first addressed the importance of the knowledge economy in Jordanian universities; the second examined the significance of community service in Jordanian universities; and the third explored the role of the knowledge economy in community service within Jordanian universities.

Results: The study highlighted the critical role of the knowledge economy in utilizing informational resources, advanced technologies, and human intellect as intellectual capital. It also underscored the importance of community service in fostering participation, solving societal challenges, and aligning research with production and service needs. Key roles of the knowledge economy include spreading knowledge, fostering innovation, linking academics to the labor market, opening new learning pathways, and enhancing learners' skills.

Conclusions: The study recommended spreading knowledge and fostering a problem-solving mindset. It emphasized aligning higher education curricula with societal needs, promoting knowledge production, and developing human capital. It also advocated identifying community needs to drive behavioral and developmental change, allocating university budgets to support growth and innovation, and strengthening partnerships between universities, private sector entities, and production institutions to address social and economic challenges.