Factors Increasing the Competitiveness of Universities: The International Context

Abstract

The article is devoted to the competitiveness of universities in the international educational space, taking into account the realities of the new economy and modern factors of consumer choice. We stress the importance of the process of internationalization of teachers’ teams and students, the importance of enriching the content of curricula with international and intercultural experience. Further, we discussed directions of development in Russia of management and economic education taking into account preservation of national identity in a difficult institutional environment of the world market of education. We presented the results of a survey of 120 graduates of master’s programs in economics, management and MBA programmes, identified the factors that affect the students’ choice of the educational program, as well as estimated demand from students for international experience in the learning process in their country. These factors include, among others, the possibility of obtaining international experience during studies and the prestige of the university, whose diploma has a graduate. The identified factors are also considered by employers as key and affect career development. Two key directions of development of internationalization of economic and management education in Russian universities are defined. We showed the experience of the Faculty of Economics of Lomonosov Moscow State University on the inclusion of international aspects in the educational programs of the master’s level and MBA programs.