Why Russia Adopts Europe’s Experience of Embedding Universities in Society

Abstract

The paper assesses the interaction between universities and civil society (science, economy, culture, various institutions) in the context of the new economy. It substantiates the point that the quality and tools of interaction determine the professional-qualification level, innovation, the degree of socialization, cooperation and creativity of the human capital of the entire country and its individual regions. On the other hand, the only opportunity for universities to demonstrate economic efficiency is to be useful to society, in which they operate. The article proves that it is required to follow international trends when reforming Russian, especially regional, universities. The new interaction tools embrace a problem-oriented approach to training, meeting the regional social order and active participation in the regional innovative processes. Commercialization of new types of activities reveals new sources of funding for universities, such as licensing of intellectual property rights and venture entrepreneurship on the basis of inventions designed by universities.

Keywords

• NEW ECONOMY
• SOCIALLY ACTIVE UNIVERSITY
• INNOVATIVE UNIVERSITY
• THE THIRD MISSION OF UNIVERSITIES
• KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER
• COMMERCIALIZATION OF BUSINESS RESULTS
• HUMAN CAPITAL