
Entrepreneurship | Securing the future: Why universities need to stay innovative and engaged
From UIIN Podcasts by UIIN
March 17, 2026 · 36 min
About this episode
Andrew Petter discusses the importance of innovation and engagement for universities to remain relevant and impactful.
In this episode, we speak with Andrew Petter, former President and Vice-Chancellor of Simon Fraser University, about the challenges universities face today and why staying innovative and engaged with society is critical for their future. Drawing on his contribution to the Future of Universities Thoughtbook | Entrepreneurial Edition , Andrew reflects on why universities risk isolating themselves when they retreat to traditional models, and how engagement, entrepreneurship, and community partnerships can strengthen both their societal impact and their core academic mission.
People in this episode
Guest: Andrew Petter
Topics covered
- university innovation
- entrepreneurship
- community engagement
- academic mission
- societal impact
Keywords
- universities
- innovation
- entrepreneurship
- community partnerships
- academic challenges
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Simon Fraser University
Books & works: Future of Universities Thoughtbook | Entrepreneurial Edition
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