Spatial Organization of the University Network: a European Case-Study

Abstract

The spatial strategy of the Russian Federation implies the university network development in compliance with the new conditions of economic development, geographic concentration of labour, scientific and technological, innovative activities. For a long time, a geographic aspect has not been addressed while reforming higher education in spite of a lot of research and managerial experience in spatial university distribution worldwide. In this regard, the study is aimed at grounding the prospects for improving spatial university distribution based on the European experience of countries with different educational models. Based on the methodology of the empirical and statistical analysis, rankings, the authors researched into the theoretical backgrounds of university network distribution, the classification of spatial specifics of European educational models, the conditions for the successful adaptation of the European experience in Russia. The novelty of the research is in the working-out of the university network spatial organization based on the case study of countries with different educational models that have been proved successful. The authors used the methodology of empirical, systemic and comparative analysis. Rankings and general purpose and special purpose applications (Microsoft Excel, Statistica 8.0) were used to observe and classify raw data and calculate integrative indicators. The main results of the research could be used for further research into the spatial distribution of economic resources, for strategic planning activities.