Academic development in universities: experience of foreign universities

The present paper summarizes a review of the best practices and models of academic development in foreign universities. It is argued that academic development as a domain of professional activity is developed as a response to the three interrelated processes: emergence of the new forms of public management, dissemination of 'entrepreneurial university' conception and life-long learning programs. Possible goals, professionalization problems and organizational models of academic development are elaborated in order to present heterogeneity of this phenomenon. We conclude by highlighting the most promising types of academic development programs which is possible to implement in Russian universities.