UNIVERSITY AS A REGIONAL ECONOMY TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT DRIVER

Abstract

Introduction. Russian universities, following the request of the state and business to search for advanced production technologies and developments that enhance technological sovereignty, are increasingly focusing on the development of the ready-made technological solutions for the real economy. The universities activities are of particular importance at the regional level, since they consider the specifics of the socio-economic system of each region, including industry specialization and the established technological structure. The purpose of the study is to identify the optimal configuration for integrating universities into the system of technological development of the regional economy of their location.

Materials and methods. The materials for the study were domestic and foreign works on the topic of positioning universities in the regional socio-economic system, assessing their impact on the technological development of industry complexes and the integration of universities into the real economy sector. The calculation and analytical part is based on the application of systematic, graphical, logical-structural and comparative methods to statistical data. The use of direct indicators of the impact of universities on the technological development of the region in the work, as opposed to indirect ones used by other authors, determines the novelty of the research.

Results and conclusions. An analysis of the activities of universities in four regions of the Russian Federation demonstrates the growth of advanced production technologies developed by universities, which indicates the university's ability to act as a core of the technological development of the region's economy. The author has developed a model for structuring the university's activities, which allows, in cooperation with regional scientific and industrial partners, to ensure such development.

Discussion. The results make it possible to expand the understanding of the sources of technological development of the regional economy, to adapt the management tools for the modernization of the region's economic sectors to the existing scientific and personnel competencies of the regional higher education system. Further research may be aimed at assessing the effectiveness of the return on budget expenditures and private investments in this area, identifying the role of universities in achieving the technological sovereignty of the country.