RETHINKING THE ROLE OF A PRIVATE PARTNER IN UNIVERSITY CAMPUS MANAGEMENT

Abstract

Introduction. In the context of constrained budgetary resources and increasing demand for high-quality educational environments, significant attention is being directed toward mechanisms of public-private partnerships (PPPs). This instrument not only facilitates the attraction of additional investments into the educational sector but also transforms traditional management models. The purpose of the article is to explore the roles and responsibilities of stakeholders within projects aimed at establishing and operating modern campuses based on PPP principles, as well as to identify a novel model of private partner participation in PPP initiatives. The author examines the role of the private partner in the implementation of a federal project focusing on creating a network of modern campuses, drawing comparisons between Russia’s experience and that of other countries in the field of PPPs. The article also investigates a management model wherein the private partner develops a product-service framework to deliver a wide range of services within the campus environment.

Materials and methods. The research is based on the legal and regulatory analysis traditional methods application, as well as case studies of university infrastructure management in Russia and abroad. An analysis of the use of PPP was carried out on the example of 17 university campuses participating in the federal project «Establishment of a Network of Modern Campuses.» This analysis enabled the identification of typological characteristics of campuses based on location, thematic focus of academic and research activities, and the role of the private partner.

The results of the research. The study revealed key features of the distribution of functions, risks, and areas of responsibility among stakeholders involved in the creation of modern campuses. A new model of private partner participation was developed, which includes the expansion of their functions in the development and provision of products and services within the campus. This model involves the formation of a consortium of professional operators during the structuring of relationships within the PPP mechanism.

Discussion. The author proposes a novel approach in which the private partner acts as the initiator of a product-service model and the formation of an operator consortium, offering a wide range of services. This approach not only enhances the operational efficiency of the campus but also meets the needs of all user groups. Future research prospects lie in the development of new formats of interaction between public and private entities in the management process, as well as in defining performance indicators to evaluate the effectiveness of their collaborative efforts in implementing product and service models.