On the history and independence of universities

The article discusses the causes and consequences of the crisis in Russian universities. The stages of formation and development of universities in Russia are highlighted ("imperial", "1st democratic", "1st Soviet", "2nd Soviet", "2nd democratic"). Returning to the traditions of the university, the author pays attention to the principles of university activity: the principle of autonomy; the principle of political, economic, and ideological independence; the principle of the inseparability of didactic and research activities; the principle of freedom of research, education, and management; the principle of universality. Awareness of the high mission of universities in accordance with these principles will allow the country to reach a new level of scientific and technological development and accumulate an intellectual elite. As an example, the experience of dynamic development of Buryat State University in the 1990s-2010s is analyzed. It was during this period that new educational programs and professions were opened at the university, the publication activity of the faculty increased, doctoral dissertation committees were opened, the material and technical base expanded, and international relations actively developed.