Competitive Activities as a Means of Improving Professional Training of Students in the Sphere of Technology and Interaction with Business

The article analyzes the problems of higher education students’ participation in competitive activities. The authors analyze and assess competitive activities as a means of professional training that contributes to the development and implementation of projects in the field of scientific technologies, as well as interaction with business. From the point of view of sustainable development priorities, the modern business approach is increasingly based on the need to develop scientific methods and mechanisms for ensuring effective development in Russian conditions. That is impossible without developing innovative projects in the field of technology and, first of all, without training of professional personnel with necessary economic, social, and governance potential. Universities are a unifying platform for business, education, and government agencies, due to which their role in training highly qualified personnel with practical experience is increasing. The paper presents the results of the sociological study of students’ participation in scientific and technological competitive activities as a means of improving their professional training and formulates recommendations for organization of this kind of activities in the higher education system. The conclusion is formulated about the need to develop competitive activities in the higher education system. The most effective mechanisms for the involvement of students are proposed, taking into account their own preferences and the needs of society and business for sustainable development. The work is of great practical importance, since the higher education system has significant potential for transferring knowledge in the field of business and developing technological ideas.