Universities in the Complex Setting of the West Bank: Entrepreneurial or Engaged?

Palestinian universities lack resources, have restrictive (inter)national
mobility opportunities, and are faced with numerous security measures. This
chapter analyses to what extent entrepreneurial transformation at these
universities is taking place and how it is related with the political, economic
and cultural complex setting in which they operate. It combines a literature
review with findings of a mixed methods study at four universities applying
the entrepreneurial university framework of the European Commission/
OECD. Findings indicate that staff and students are more negative than
positive about the entrepreneurial status of their institutions, with students
being more critical than staff. At each of the universities, international donor
supported entrepreneurial activities are starting up as a way to overcome
youth unemployment. It is concluded that Palestinian universities are to be
understood as engaged universities that increasingly stimulate their students
to act entrepreneurially. Rooted in the context of the Palestinian cause, they
contribute socially and culturally to their local communities. Furthermore, it is
stated that in a developing context the notion of an entrepreneurial university
as an important contributor to innovation through research does not apply. It
is recommended to rethink the innovation-driven Triple Helix concept when
applied in low-income countries, with ‘donor-pushed’ and ‘society-driven’ as
new typologies for stakeholder cooperation.