The role of the Southern Federal University in the scientific and technological development of the region

The article explores the transformational role of the Southern Federal University as a key actor in the scientific and technological development of the region through the prism of the sociology of education and economic sociology. Based on the analysis of reporting data for 2024 and the application of an institutional approach, the implementation of the university's "third mission" is revealed, including the formation of social capital, the development of innovative ecosystems and professional communities. The study identifies the mechanisms of the university's influence on regional development through strategic initiatives ("Boiling Point", startup movement, industrial collaborations), and also analyzes the contradictions between the commercialization of education and its social function. Special attention is paid to scenario forecasting of the university's role in the context of the digital transformation of the economy.