Transforming the management system of agricultural universities in the digital space

N. Yu. Zubarev¹ , A. A. Urasova² , I. V. Tsarenko², Yu. N. Zubarev³

¹ Perm State University, Perm, Russia

² Perm Branch of the Institute of Economics of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Perm, Russia

³ Perm State Agrarian and Technological University named after Academician D. N. Pryanishnikov, Perm, Russia

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Volume 26 No. 9

Date of paper submission: 11.02.2026, date of review: 29.06.2026, date of acceptance: 08.07.2026.

Published: 09/30/2026

Abstract. The rapid digitalization of the agro-industrial complex and the deployment of industry platforms are significantly changing the situation for agricultural universities, which are focused not only on training personnel but also on developing solutions based on the systematic analysis of internal data as a foundation for improving business processes. In this context, digital changes are affecting not only the educational process and facilities but also the university’s governance structure, which areas are considered key, and how digital tools are used within them. The purpose of this article is to identify the specific features of the digital transformation of an agricultural university’s management system and to propose an integrated approach to assessing the digital maturity of management processes within the context of digitalization in the agro-industrial complex. Methods. The study is based on a combination of systemic and network approaches, including a comparative analysis based on unique case studies from several leading agricultural universities, as well as a conceptual representation of a digital management maturity index. Scientific novelty. This paper emphasizes the need to consider individual digital projects and infrastructure solutions as part of a comprehensive analysis of the digitalization of agricultural university management systems. To this end, a digital management maturity index is introduced as a tool for capturing the movement from a set of disparate digital initiatives to a more holistic, platform-based model. A three-dimensional framework for interpreting digital maturity is described, which provides the basis for a typology of digital transformation configurations at agricultural universities and for setting further empirical objectives. Results. It is shown that, in most cases, digital initiatives at agricultural universities constitute a picture of fragmented digitalization: digital departments, LMS, and industry platforms are developing faster than the management architecture and data-driven management practices. This article is addressed to researchers in education management, heads of agricultural universities, as well as those involved in developing digital policy and designing initiatives for the digitalization of the agro-industrial complex.

Keywords: agricultural university, digital transformation, digital maturity, management system, digital departments, LMS, platform model, human capital 4.0, data-driven management, agro-industrial complex

Acknowledgements. The research was carried out in accordance with the Research Plan of the Institute of Economics of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

For citation: Zubarev N. Yu., Urasova A. A., Tsarenko I. V., Zubarev N. Yu. Transforming the management system of agricultural universities in the digital space. Agrarian Bulletin of the Urals. 2026; 26 (09): 1814‒1826. https://doi.org/10.32417/1997-4868-2026-26-09-1814-1826 (In Russ.) 

 

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