FUNCTIONAL APPROACH CONCEPTION TO DEVELOPMENT OF REGIONAL HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM
Economic role and orientation towards regional development priorities determine the functional approach to the development of higher education system. The basis of functional approach was laid by the researchers of regional economic problems and it was developed in the works of scientists, studying the factorial role of education in economic and social development. The development of this approach was reflected in the article in terms of its use for elaboration of the concept of development of higher education system in Russian regions. Topicality of application of the functional approach is justified by: a) current conditions of functioning of regional higher education system; b) requirements to its tactical and strategic characteristics; c) methodological limitations of the approach. The experience of modernization of higher education system in Russia was evaluated and conclusions about lack of clarity in the idea of regional goals of higher education system and necessity to find new approaches to its development were made in the research. For realization of the approach, a mechanism of functionality of higher education system was developed and the scopes of its use were defined. A conclusion was made that regulations of the functional approach were the tool of formation of regional and effective system of higher education system.