Introduction. The urgency is determined by increasing of studying of the problems of interaction the university and the region -is so-called «third role» of universities – the University of interaction with the region. Theoretical analysis. In modern foreign studies on the theory and methodology of innovative development identifies new trends and properties of the interaction of science, business and government. Discussed in the article the university interaction with the local community models are show that more social actors involved in the processes of development of higher education, radically changing the nature of the relationship between science and society. Speaking about the perception of the university in their region, the researchers note several aspects of perception of interaction with the local community universities. Due to the changing role of the university it is modified interaction model university and region. Results. Modeling its interaction with the region, the university should use a systematic approach, relying on the analysis of the consistency of its internal capabilities with the needs of the regional economy, which in turn is consistent with the basic mission of the university in the field of education and research.