Introduction: The present study aims at investigating and designing a model for improving universities’ educational functions to develop the third generation universities.
Methods: As an applied research, a qualitative approach was used to collect data in this study through open interviews with 18 experts. The participants consisted of three groups including industry experts as representatives of industry, managers, and directors in the ministry of science and technology as representatives of government and policy makers, and university faculty members as representatives of university sector with invaluable experiences regarding the relationship between university and industry. To analyze qualitative data, the approach of open coding, axial coding, and selected coding was used.
Results: The open coding process resulted in the identification of 48 major concepts Then, the data was analyzed regarding the educational model of the third generation universities. The proposed model includes 6 selective codings, 11 axial codings, and 48 open codings.
Conclusions: The findings indicated that the third generation universities require features similar and different from other universities such as an emphasizing functional education, skill-oriented approach, intensive programs for advancing industry, goal-oriented educational programs, advocating entrepreneurship and business, and conducting needs analysis in industry. Hence, the universities are recommended taking into account the above-mentioned criteria and socioeconomic needs in planning their educational policies to move toward the third generation universities.