E-learning as a tool for regional educational space virtualization

One of priorities of training in modern system of higher education is forming competences providing for competitiveness, mobility and professional solvency of future specialist. Since young people receiving higher professional education are of high mobility and tends to go for study and work to major metropolitan, economically developed cities and industrial centers, one of objectives of policy in the field of professional education in Russian Federation is keeping graduate in region of study and residence. This problem can be solved through formation of single educational space on basis of remote learning programmes. Applicable in Russia Federal State Educational Standards in their structure assume so called "basic" block of disciplines that are mandatory for study by students of all educational institutions of the country as well as block of "optional" disciplines. As a rule, among others, this block include disciplines reflecting the sectoral specifics of the region. And such disciplines are studied only in universities of region concerned, or the Federal District. This article gives concept of innovative development of regional educational space based on use of remote learning technologies. Purpose of this work is to provide a mechanism for upgrading educational space of the region based on remote network system of interaction of regional universities. The article discusses such issues as: - relevance of problem of educational space virtualization in accordance with the Federal Law "On education at the Russian Federation"; - mechanism of integration of universities into remote educational space; - methodical principles for virtualization of regional educational space.