Local Economic Impact of a Public University: An Analysis of a Multi-Campus University

Abstract

Today, the role of higher institutions of learning on the social and economic development of the communities surrounding them, cannot be understated. This paper focuses on assessing the economic impact by UiTM Negeri Sembilan campuses on their local communities. UiTM Negeri Sembilan is a multi-campus university that has three campuses in the same state differing in location and population size, and are managed mainly through a centralised administrative system, with a certain degree of local campus autonomy on certain aspects. The respondents comprised of business owners, managers, and workers from 62 local business establishments surrounding the University campuses. The findings show that all three campuses have impacted their local economy positively in terms of gross income to local businesses in varying degrees. UiTM Seremban recorded the highest impact due to its largest population and its urban location. This suggests that all campuses support the growth of businesses and the economic development within the local communities. The results contribute the knowledge that not all multi-campus universities would have the same impact on the local community.  Despite the same administration, the same policies, yet the economic impact may not be the same showing the major factors influencing are location and student/staff population.