This study investigates factors enhancing research and innovation productivity in South Asian universities (Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka) using panel data (2009-2021) and the dynamic common correlated effects (DCCE) approach. Results show negligible impacts of patent rights, tertiary education funding, information technology, and publications on research productivity, with tertiary enrollment insignificant. For innovation productivity, patent rights, tertiary education funding, and information technology also showed negligible impact, and tertiary enrollment and publications were insignificant. University research productivity had a negligible stimulating effect on GDP per capita, while innovation productivity showed no impact. Using mean group (MG), pooled mean group (PMG), and augmented mean group (AMG) models could lead to misleading results due to cross-sectional dependence; PMG performed better than AMG and MG. Policy recommendations are provided.
