Akimova O.E., Marenova K.Yu. Role of Universities in Innovative Development of Russia in Conditions of External Constraints (Volgograd Case)

Olga  E. Akimova
Volgograd State Technical University, Volgograd, Russian Federation
Ksenia Yu.  Marenova
Volgograd State Technical University, Volgograd, Russian Federation

Abstract. In the context of sanctions pressure and disruption of international scientific and technical ties and limited access to critical technologies and components, national systems of higher education and science are facing fundamentally new challenges, necessitating a transformation of the education model in Russia. In this regard, the main goal of this article is to identify the role of universities in the innovative development of the Russian Federation from the perspective of key actors in this process – undergraduate and graduate students in order to rethink the functions of universities – in the process of generating and commercializing innovations in modern conditions of development of the Russian economy. The empirical analysis was conducted based on a survey of undergraduate and graduate students of the flagship university of the Volgograd region (Volgograd State Technical University) in the form of an online questionnaire on the Google Forms platform held from March 14 to May 30, 2025. The study involved 193 people, more than half of whom were undergraduate students (64%), and 36% were graduate students. The data obtained revealed a deep crisis in the reproduction of scientific personnel in regional universities. The main barrier to continuing a scientific career among young people is recognized as the non-competitive level of wages, which correlates with macroeconomic data for the region. The revealed gap between abstract approval and personal unpreparedness to participate in scientific activity by Volgograd State Technical University students as a whole proves a systemic dysfunction. Overcoming the identified contradictions requires not only institutional transformations of universities but also the formation of a new value paradigm of scientific activity. The results of this study may be useful for officials responsible for regional development at both the local and federal levels. Authors’ contribution. O.E. Akimova – target setting, analysis of the issues of Russian universities’ participation in the innovation process,  and  formulation  of  conclusions;  K.Yu.  Marenova –  development of  the  online  questionnaire, surveys  of undergraduate and graduate students, and analysis of results.
Key words: universities, innovative development, science, scientific career, scientific activity, entrepreneurial university model, triple helix, innovation generator, R&D, Volgograd region, Volgograd State Technical University.
Citation. Akimova O.E., Marenova K.Yu., 2026. Role of Universities in Innovative Development of Russia in Conditions of External Constraints (Volgograd Case). Regionalnaya ekonomika. Yug Rossii [Regional Economy. South of Russia], vol. 14, no. 1, pp. 153-163. (in Russian). DOI: https://doi.org/10.15688/re.volsu.2026.1.15

Attachments: /upload/medialibrary/f39/ed2csu87qt7csncutydjskoyrd0ixow7.pdf