Formation of a Network of Flagship Universities as a Stage in the Modernization of National Higher Education and a Driver of Innovative Development of Regional Economies

This study is aimed at examining the specific features of the establishing regional flagship universities in the country and their impact on the innovative development of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation. Aim. This study identifies the genesis of regional flagship universities as another stage in the modernization of the national higher education and analyze their role in regional development. Tasks. This study determines the stages in the establishment of regional flagship universities and analyzes their distribution across the country’s federal districts. Methods. This study uses general methods of scientific cognition to examine the ongoing changes in the Russian higher education, identifies directions for the implementation of flagship university development programs, and makes proposals for the further formation of a network of regional flagship universities. Results. Over the past 11 years, within the framework of the government policy on higher education modernization implemented in the country, 10 federal universities were established and 29 national research universities were identified. Being powerful modern scientific and educational centers, these universities enjoy a special status with more academic freedom and priority financing from the federal and regional budgets. Therefore, the leading and less developed universities in the country are significantly differentiated, which is why the formation of a network of regional flagship universities that began in 2015 is so important. Conclusion. The purpose of regional flagship universities should be to serve as drivers of socio-economic development of the country’s constituent entities, become modern scientific and educational centers, centers of the formation of innovative regional culture capable of training highly qualified personnel across a wide range of fields according to the requirements of regional economies, and conduct fundamental and applied scientific research for the priority directions of regional development.

опорный региональный университет, высшее образование, модернизация, инновации, регион, социально-экономическое развитие, flagship regional university, higher education, modernization, innovation, region, socio-economic development

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