The article, exploring the genesis of the idea of the university, reveals how its value bases and mission have changed over time. The fate of the university as a social institution is inextricably linked with society and bears the imprint of the transformations taking place in the social environment. In relation to the university in the modern world, the existence of a serious crisis is universally stated and, as shown in the article, it is associated with the processes of globalization, the establishment of market fundamentalism and postmodern culture.
