Innovative educational environment of universities and competencies of graduates-innovators

The article focuses on innovative activities, formation of competences of graduates-innovators and presents a different view of the problem, which is based on the ultimate goal of higher education - training graduates as innovators, i.e. people who are able to generate, discover, and implement innovations. It is noted that activities of innovators create innovations - technological, food, organizational and marketing innovations. The authors highlight the term "Innovation", which is regarded as a set of novelties which are not only unique, but perhaps subjectively new and are brought to the point when these innovations become clear, useful and demanded by consumers. As a result of the study, a comparative analysis was made of the competences of graduates in different fields and levels of education. It is concluded that competences of graduates-innovators must include not only integration of different knowledge and skills from different spheres of activities, but also the competences which are invariant of the relevant field. The authors stress the necessity to use interactive methods of learning certain disciplines and make suggestions for the formation of innovative educational environment. It is noted that innovative projects must not neglect such issues as feasibility study, business planning, investment attraction, organization of processes enhancing the transformation of projects into practical innovative business.