Modern university mission: European, United States and Russian practice

In modern post-industrial society the system of higher education attracts increasing attention. To meet social demands the universities have to implement in educational and research processes more and more innovative technologies. These technologies related to research, training, administration and other forms of activity lead to better diversification. The process of diversification involves the selection in the activities of the University complex, new functions, united by the term «third role». In the national practices the content of this «third role» varies depending on the specifics of the region. Understanding of regional models of innovation development largely correlates with the new features in the University activities. The process of diversification is associated with the release in the activities of University of a new range of features, combined by the term «third role», which coexists with two other classical ‘roles’ activities of the university - education and research. In the national practice the contents of the «third role» varies depending on the specifics of the region. In particular we can talk about the specific types of «third role» of university activity in relation to the European, American and Russian educational systems. Understanding the regional innovative development models are largely correlated with the new features within the framework of the university activities.