THE ROLE OF HIGHER EDUCATION IN LOCAL AND REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT: AN ANALYSIS OF ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL INDICATORS IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF MORRINHOS/GO

Abstract

Higher education is seen as a driver of economic and social growth, although there are challenges, such as the alignment of regional demands with the offer of courses and university-business interaction. By analyzing the case of Morrinhos/GO, the research sought to identify barriers and opportunities for higher education institutions to expand their positive impact, collaborating for the economic and social advancement of the region and promoting a fairer and more sustainable development. In the study, qualitative and quantitative methodologies were used, investigating how higher education institutions (HEIs) influence economic, social and infrastructure aspects. The results show that with the increase in schooling, including higher education, it correlates with improvements in economic indicators, such as GDP growth, job creation and expansion of local businesses. And that there was an increase in the Municipal Human Development Index (MHDI) of Morrinhos/GO, especially in the Education dimension. In addition, the survey points to a significant evolution in the qualification of the local workforce, driven by academic training in strategic areas such as education. However, the study emphasizes that regional development depends on multiple factors, not exclusively on higher education. And that challenges remain, especially related to income inequality, expanding access to basic services in rural areas, and creating strategies to retain talent trained in higher education.