The «third mission» and social engagement of universities: to the problem statement

The article is devoted to the problem of higher school modernization in the context of universities’ social function. Growth of universities as innovative and entrepreneurial structures is supported by the idea of «third mission». The author shows that realization of «third mission» enables the university to retain its humanistic «core» - an opportunity to create public goods and services to the community, which is important both for foreign and Russian universities. It is noted that the implementation of social programs of Russian universities is not yet a priority for the Russian state and society.