This thesis is framed within the debate on the role of universities in the socioeconomic development of regions. It has three distinct parts. The first part of the thesis presents a review of the literature on regional economy, focusing on how three main concepts - industrial district, cluster and local innovation system - have addressed from their respective theoretical approaches, the role of Higher Education Institutions. The second part of the thesis presents the methodological aspects of how to approach the analysis of a phenomenon as complex as is the changing role of a university, based on the selection of the case study, different levels of analysis and research techniques and collection and subsequent data analysis. The third part of the PhD dissertation presents the empirical results of the thesis translated into the presentation of the context in which to insert the university under study, and the three stages identified in the history of the institution, although their characteristics specific to a region of low-tech, have been institutional changes should take into account not only from the viewpoint of university policies, but also from the standpoint of managing Higher Education Institutions. Definitely, the fourth and final part of the thesis presents the main findings from the study along this thesis.