ENTREPRENEURIAL UNIVERSITY RATING SYSTEM: WORLD EXPERIENCE AND RUSSIAN PRACTICE

Abstract

Introduction. The authors identify the problem of a lack of a systematic understanding of entrepreneurship education at universities. An «entrepreneurial university» is often considered to be a university that focuses not so much on training entrepreneurs as on offering competitive scientific and technological solutions. This article aims at exploring a successful model of an entrepreneurial university.

Materials and methods. The methodological basis of the study was criterion and content analyses. The information basis of the study was made up of  the data on the world rankings of entrepreneurial universities: The best universities for entrepreneurship in the EduRank world.org; Rating of the best universities in the world (QS World University Rankings); Rating of entrepreneurial universities and business schools in Russia by AC Expert, Technopred-50. The content analysis method was used to determine the entrepreneurial component in the content of educational programs of the leading Russian universities according to the EduRank.org rating.

Results. Considering the ratings of entrepreneurial universities and the content analysis of the programs they offer, the author concludes that it is difficult to diagnose a university's status as an entrepreneurial university based on these ratings, as they primarily reflect the overall success of the university rather than the quality of entrepreneurial education. The article proposes three key components for evaluating a university's entrepreneurial specialization: the involvement of entrepreneurs in the creation of educational programs; the inclusion of entrepreneurs who have received professional pedagogical training in the educational process; and the focus on developing entrepreneurial thinking as a key competency for graduates. The article examines an example of a model for «growing» entrepreneurs at Tyumen State University, that demonstrates successful practices of interaction between the regional business community and the university, as well as the organization of a mentoring system for students by the entrepreneurial community.

Discussion. The development of entrepreneurial education, which is currently provided primarily in the system of additional professional education, should become a part of the university education. The study contributes to understanding the feasibility of developing entrepreneurship training programs, both within the current federal educational standard 38.03.02. «Management» and by initiating the development of a separate federal educational standard for entrepreneurship.