THE CONTRIBUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS IN REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT

The economic changes in the last years (stagnation, crises, recovery) brought transformations in several fields. The universities were encouraged to take an active role in the development of their region, to stimulate the production of practical results applicable in industry and society. As former communist country and now as a Member State of the European Union Romania has to operate for modernization and development. Higher education institutions can achieve these objectives if they act as part of the society and move from the status of knowledge and graduates producers to an “engaged university” model interested in accomplishing the common economical, social and political goals