Modeling A Trajectory For Economic Faculties Development In Technical Universities Under The Conditions Of Economy Digitalization

Rapid changes in modern society and technological reality define significant difficulties in forming the development trajectory of technical universities. More and more discussions on the prospects for the economic faculties development in technical universities break out because of the most uncertainly indicated medium-term demand for economic and management specialties. An interdisciplinary approach becomes important not only in theoretic studies, but also for university graduates’ practical skills. The purpose of this paper is to justify the need and to work out a new model of economic faculties development in technical universities according to today’s economic and social demands. The article presents a critical theoretical and methodological analysis of Russian and foreign literature. The materials of the research are statistic, survey, and questionnaires data. There have been used methods of system analysis, of management theory, and of statistical data processing. The analysis showed, firstly, the increasing need for specialists in economic and management spheres providing the quality of human capital; secondly, existing qualification gaps between the professional competencies provided by universities and those required by employers; thirdly, the necessity to coordinate the interests of the four members of the labour market - state, employers, educational organizations, and students. The developed model is based on the principles of interdisciplinarity, universality, practical orientation, and takes into account modern economy digitalization requirements, as well as state educational and professional standards. Unlike other models, this one determines the main directions of economic faculties development, justifies the need for educational programmes for them to be oriented, and identifies the targeted competencies of students and teachers. The practical significance of the research is in the developed model results application, which makes it possible to improve the quality of the education in the spheres of economics and management, therefore increasing the efficiency of education and research in technical universities.