Regional Engagement of Mid-Range Universities: Adapting European Models and Best Practices in Hungary

The focus of our article is on the role of mid-range (mid-size) universities in the development of peripheral regions in the context of the university engagement literature. After summarizing the literature on the contribution of universities to regional development, the article looks through the most important theoretical considerations including the developmental role (the third mission) of universities. It presents the main issues in which the mid-range universities in peripheral regions are different from the top universities located mainly in metropolitan areas. Using case studies from Central and Eastern Europe, the article concludes that not only the position of universities in the collaboration with business sector but their role in the innovation system is quite different, and there is a need for much more comprehensive and complex economic policies initiating the support of the university sector and starting the development of high-tech industries, small-scale enterprises, and constructing a regional advantage with stronger community involvement of universities.