Entrepreneurial university: topicality of creation, international experience, situation in Latvia

The university, understood in a simplified way as an institution representing the system of higher education, is distinguished by longevity. However, it also underwent evolution at the turn of the century under the influence of various conditions. As a result, various models of the university are emerging with the most promising one known now as the entrepreneurial university. This model implies greater openness of the university to the socio-economic environment, flexible adaptation to the needs of customers, stakeholders and the market, market competitiveness based on marketing and the ability to diversify sources of income. Particular attention is paid to creating and increasing the entrepreneurial potential of students. The aim of the article is to consider issues related to the prerequisites and ways of developing University 3.0 in Latvia. The objectives of the article are as follows: to find out the main external and inter-university prerequisites and barriers to creating entrepreneurial universities, to study international experience in the formation of prerequisites for the creation of entrepreneurial universities, to assess the major prerequisites for the establishment of entrepreneurial universities in Latvia. Causal analysis and comparative analysis were used as the major research method. An empirical assessment of the prerequisites for the development of University 3.0 in Latvia is given on the basis of our comparative analysis of the parameters of the Global Competitiveness Index. It is proposed to discuss the need for a state programme of at least a pilot project for the creation of two or three entrepreneurial universities so far, which will allow us to have our own experience in removing economic, social and cultural barriers to the modernisation of our higher education, the emergence of our own strong entrepreneurial leaders in higher education.