Prospects for creating a network department to ensure effective cluster scientific (scientific and methodological) interaction between pedagogical university and institute for educational development (IED)

The paper proves the necessity of creating a Network Department to provide effective cluster scientific (scientific-methodological) interaction of a pedagogical university and the Institute of Education Development (IED). The absence of the definition of a network department in the normative-legal acts is established, despite the fact that in practice such associations are created. Using the structural and functional analysis, a general characteristic of a Network Department is given, its subject, goals, organizational structure, and role in scientific (scientific-methodological) interaction of a pedagogical university and the Institute for Educational Development are determined. Examination of such alternative organizational structures as basic and virtual departments made it possible to conclude that they cannot replace the Network Department due to the prevalence of either educational or technological aspect in their activities. The paper dwells upon the fact that the integration of the Network Department into the structure of the national cluster model of scientific (scientific-methodological) interaction between pedagogical universities and Institute of Education Development brings this interaction to the highest, strategic, level.