Focusing on faculty promotion regulations, this study examines the transition toward next-generation universities. The research aims to identify evaluation indicators for the tripartite promotion criteria to facilitate the transition of national universities toward the third and fourth generations, while simultaneously identifying structural barriers within current promotion policies. The central research questions address which novel criteria could effectively drive this transition and what challenges exist within the current regulatory framework. Employing a qualitative case study design, data were collected through semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders and analyzed using thematic analysis. To ensure the comprehensiveness of the findings, interviewees were categorized into four distinct groups: science and technology policymakers, faculty members, university administrators, and representatives of scientific institutions.



Beyond traditional scholarly metrics, third- and fourth-generation universities prioritize indicators such as innovation, entrepreneurship, and social engagement. The findings propose a new set of indicators for faculty promotion, including participation in startup creation, interdisciplinary collaboration, international engagement, and knowledge commercialization. Furthermore, the study underscores the necessity of diversifying promotion pathways by integrating need-based research and national problem-solving alongside fundamental frontier research. Implementing these changes could enhance the global standing of universities and enable them to play a more effective role in socio-economic growth.