Changing role of universities in the socio-economic transformation processes of cities

New actors and new understandings created by the modern world force countries and cities to develop themselves in various areas. As a part of this development, universities have recently emerged as important actors in the economic, cultural, and social transformation of cities. Universities not only promote economic development in the region where they are established but also have various effects on the socio-cultural structure of their societies. Universities bring together students and academic staff from different cultural backgrounds and enable interaction between cultures. This research aims to examine the university-city interaction and to reveal the social, cultural, and economic effects of universities on cities. In other words, our study aimed to determine the contribution of the university to the economic, social, and cultural life of the city by analyzing the perceptions and expectations of the local people towards the university in their city. Akhmet Yassawi University, one of the young universities of Kazakhstan, and the city of Turkistan is chosen as the research sample. The research data are collected using the questionnaire method and the questionnaires are administered in face-to-face interviews. Our study showed that Akhmet Yassawi University brought vitality to the economic life of the city, attracted new investments to the city, and improved the life quality of the city day by day. The results show the transformation of Turkistan over time, will provide a source for new researchers interested in Akhmet Yassawi University and the city of Turkistan and will set an example for other cities and universities.

1. Goddard J., Kempton L. Connecting universities to regional growth: a practical guide. Report. Brussels: European Commission, 2021.

2. Goddard J., Puukka J. The engagement of higher educational institutions in regional Development: an overview of the opportunities and challenges. Higher Education and Policy, 2018, no. 20, pp. 2–33.

3. Chatterton P., Goddard J. The response of higher education institutions to regional needs. In R. Rutten, F. Boekema, E. Kuijpers (Eds.). Economic geography of higher education, knowledge infrastructure and learning regions. New York: Routledge, 2020.

4. Kelesbayev D., Alibekova Z., Izatullayeva B., Dandayeva B., Mombekova G., Taizhanov L. Establishing a quality planning scheme with kano model and a case study. Quality – Access to Success, 2020, no. 21, pp. 56–64.

5. Miller D.C. Town and Gown: The Power Structure of a University Town. American Journal of Sociology, 1963, no. 68, pp. 432–443.

6. Lester R. Universities, innovation, and the competitiveness of local economies. A summary report from the local ınnovation systems project: phase I. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Industrial Performance Center, Working Paper Series, 2017.

7. Van Geenhuizen M., Peter N., Hans R. Universities and Knowledge-Based Economic Growth: The Case of Delft (NL), GeoJournal, 2017, no. 41, pp. 369–377.

8. Brockliss L. Gown and Town: The University and the City in Europe, 1200–2000. Minerva, 2020, no. 38, pp. 147–170.

9. Boucher G., Conway C., Van Der Meer E. Tiers of engagement by universities in their region’s development. Regional studies, 2018, no. 37, pp. 887–897.

10. Lazzereti L., Tavoleti E. Higher Education Excellence and Local Economic Development: The Case of the Entrepreneurial University of Twente. European Planning Studies, 2019, no. 13, pp. 475–493.

11. Bruning S.D., McGrewb S., Cooper M. Town–Gown Relationships: Exploring University-Community Engagement from the Perspective of Community Members. Public Relations Review, 2018, no. 32, pp. 125–130.

12. Torun İ., Öztürk S., Gelibolu L. Yöre Halkının Üniversiteye Bakışı ve Beklentileri: Kars Kafkas Üniversitesi Örneği. Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi, 2009, no. 11, pp. 169–188.

13. Çalışkan Ş. Üniversite Öğrencilerinin Harcamalarının Kent Ekonomisine Katkısı: Uşak Üniversitesi Örneği. Elektronik Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi, 2010, no. 9, pp. 169–179.

14. Brandt C., Mortanges C.P. City Branding: A Brand Concept Map Analysis of a University Town. Place Branding and Public Diplomacy, 2021, no. 7, pp. 50–63.

15. Sankır H., Gürdal D.A. Bülent Ecevit Üniversitesi’nin Zonguldak’a etkileri ve kentin üniversite algısı. Yükseköğretim ve Bilim Dergisi, 2014, no. 4, pp. 90–98.

16. Gümüş N., Ertürk E., Şen Ş. Kastamonu Halkının Kastamonu Üniversitesi’ne Yönelik Algılarının İncelenmesi Üzerine Bir Araştırma. Çankırı Karatekin Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü Dergisi, 2015, no. 6, pp. 293–312.

17. Uygun M., Mete S., Kara F.Z., Bağcı H. Üniversitelerin Kente Olan Ekonomik, Sosyo-Kültürel ve Çevresel Etkilerine Yönelik Yerel Halk Algısı. Aksaray Üniversitesi İktisadi ve İdari Bilimler Fakültesi Dergisi, 2016, no. 8, pp. 66–85.

18. Arap S.K. Üniversite-kent etkileşiminden beklentiler. Toplum ve Demokrasi Dergisi, 2015, no. 8, pp. 105–119.

19. Creswell J.W. Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative and Mixed Methods Approaches (5th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, 2018.

20. Hair J.F., Black W.C., Babin B.J., Anderson R.E. Multivariate Data Analysis. NJ, USA: Pearson Education Limited, 2019.

21. DeVellis Robert. F. Scale Development: Theory and Applications. Thousand Okas, CA: SAGE Publications, 2021.