Universities as institutions of regional development: the case of the Republic of Buryatia

Regional universities claim to be growth zones of territories by means of integration development projects based on the interaction of government, business and local communities. At the same time, universities are beginning to play more active role in international relations as a tool of “soft power” in innovative development and other areas. Regional universities should become centers for consolidation of the efforts of different sides of regional socio-economic development, improve innovation infrastructure, participate in the course of regional social policy, international relations as institutions of “soft power”, and follow a policy of green economy and sustainable development. The article presents the vision of the development of universities as regional institutions in the case of the Republic of Buryatia, which activities are aimed at fruitful interaction with regional stakeholders and sustainable socio-economic growth in the region.