Partial Employment of Students in a New Model of UniversityGovernment-Employer Collaboration

This article aims to identify conceptual foundations for studying organized partial employment of university students as a tool for sustainable collaboration between universities, government, and industrial partners, while developing a model for its integration into the educational process. The study compares current methodological approaches (human capital theory, academic capitalism, neo-institutionalism, and co-production theory) in examining student employment during higher education. The authors propose using co-production theory as a methodological framework for investigating joint value creation in higher education through collaboration between universities, students, government, and businesses. The article introduces and justifies the new concept of “organized partial student employment” – defined as employment relationships based on sustained cooperation between universities, industrial partners, and students during studies, aimed at developing employer-ready professionals. Key research findings include: the necessity of transitioning from unorganized student employment to a systemic model of organized partial employment integrated into education; a twostage university-employer collaboration model combining project-based learning with subsequent employment of motivated students; identified benefits of partial employment: strengthening academia-labor market alignment, increasing student engagement, and enhancing regional human capital. The study’s novelty lies in developing the concept of organized partial employment as part of an ecosystem connecting universities, students, and industrial partners, while demonstrating its role in proactive professional training – particularly for organizations ensuring technological sovereignty and leadership. The article’s theoretical and practical value consists in its comprehensive analysis and practical recommendations for institutionalizing partial employment, supporting national projects in education and youth employment.