University-Business Cooperation as a Priority of Public Administration in Science and Education: The Case of Russian Ministry of Science and Higher Education

In the current conditions of the transition to new technological and global economic systems, the role of horizontal ties between universities, research organizations, and enterprises is increasing. Strengthening mutually beneficial cooperation ensures a seamless connection between the innovations created at universities and research institutes and the real needs of businesses. The state plays a special role in these relationships, as it has the necessary capabilities to align the interests of all stakeholders. The aim of this study is to identify state priorities for developing university-business cooperation based on an analysis of federal and industry strategic documents, as well as the key activities of the Russian Ministry of Science and Higher Education, which plays a key role in developing this area. The analysis revealed that developing university-business cooperation is not a state priority at either the federal or industry levels. This area is rather “auxiliary” to the achievement of other goals and objectives in science and higher education. For example, only 12 collegial and advisory bodies of the Russian Ministry of Science and Higher Education (out of 334) participate in setting public administration priorities in the area of university-business cooperation, which also indicates a relatively low priority for this area of governance. At the same time, the experience of the unsuccessful reform to transition to a two-tier undergraduate and graduate system within the Bologna process convincingly demonstrates that university-business cooperation cannot simply be a prerequisite for the successful implementation of stated goals (as it was in the 2010s), but must become an independent public administration priority at the federal and industry levels to develop a unified, comprehensive approach to managing this area and achieving national goals for scientific and technological development and education.

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