UKRAINIAN UNIVERSITIES AS CLUSTERS OF REGIONAL SOCIOECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: INSPIRATIONS FROM EUROPEAN EXPERIENCE

Abstract

The experience of regional cooperation of certain European universities, which occupy leading positions in ARWU, is analyzed. Based on the understanding of the experience and best practices, directions of the possible influence of Ukrainian universities on the socioeconomic development of the country's regions are substantiated.In European science and practice, the following areas of cooperation between universities and regions are developed: the role of universities in accelerating innovative regional development, the social mission of universities in regional development, strategic management of the university in the context of regional development, management of regional development partnerships. Measurable indicators of the effectiveness of regional engagement are the share of university graduates employed in the region, the share of regional sources in financing the university, students’ internships carried out in the region, and joint publications. Analysis of strategic documents of Ukrainian universities included in the international economic engagement ranking UMultirank proved the practical absence of a vision of the value of cooperation of these universities with regional stakeholders and limited practice of interaction with them.The regional engagement policy of European universities is a key element of strategies. One of the most significant strategic goals of EU universities is to increase cultural, societal and economic impact at both local and regional levels.  It was determined that universities are recognized as a leading force in society that contributes to democracy and sustainable development.  Their impact on regional economic development is embodied by the support of qualified jobs, improvement of the supply of trained professionals, competence provision on the regional level, fostering a knowledge-based economy. Impact on solving regional societal problems is embodied by reaching out to non-traditional learners from the community, contributing to the resolution of societal problems, and offering programs for vulnerable groups. Universities also contribute to a wider spread of innovative and management culture, decision-making processes and policy advice in sector reforms.