Gergana Dimitrova
University of Plovdiv “Paisii Hilendarski”
https://doi.org/10.53656/str2023-4-1-com
Abstract. The processes of technological development and digitization of the economy find their projection on universities. As a producer of knowledge, they are expected to respond strategically to the challenges of scientific and technical progress to absorb the existing digital potential, at least in two aspects: in relation to the formation of the quality of human capital, according to the needs of the
labor market and in terms of the quality of research activity and the transfer of
knowledge – to increase innovation activity and the development of the national
economy. In this regard, the research thesis is that in conditions of the knowledge
economy and Industry 4.0, the main factors for the competitiveness of HEIs and
for their competitive positioning are derived from the cooperation between science,
education and business and their strategic transformation from classical to research
universities, with an equal focus on their educational and research activities.
Keywords: education; competitiveness; universities; Industry 4.0; competitive positioning
