Mathematical models for evaluation of the higher education system functions with DEA approach

The purpose of this research is to develop the Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) methodology for modeling of the assessment of the regional higher education systems effectiveness. The importance and topicality of this study is based on the increasing role of universities in the economic development of regions and countries in recent decades as well as the need to develop approaches for assessing the university effectiveness, and using mathematical models and methods for these goals. The novelty of the research is the formation of the DEA model and its application to the analysis of regional higher education systems' effectiveness. The hypothesis of uneven development of regional higher education systems was tested from the standpoint of functional approach; the higher education systems' effectiveness has been calculated and the ranking of Russian regions was performed by different DEA models. As a result of the DEA modeling, a quantitative effectiveness assessment was carried out, and a set of Russian regions was ranked according to three basic university functions: education, science, and regional partnership. Conclusions about the level of effectiveness and development strategy of regional higher education systems in Russia have been drawn.