The thesis is presented in the form of an article. The article presents the results of a qualitative study of ideas about teacher professionalism, which are formed, on the one hand, in the academic community, and on the other hand, at the regional university administration. The problem of academic profession’s transformation is a broad research context of this work. In Russian and international practice, university professors increasingly carry out scientific, administrative and expert work. Russian researchers have revealed a gap between external requirements for publication activity and the inner orientation of university professors at teaching as the most significant professional task. This article solves the new research question – how representation of teaching part of professors' professionalism are formed, what are the key elements of this representation? The answer to this question allows makes it possible to outline management decisions that would contribute to improving the university’s competitiveness, based on the values of the academic community.

Since research aims to identify the meanings that professors put into their work and the logic in which different aspects of teaching work are connected, a focused interview is a key methodological tool for research. Conclusions are based on an analysis of eleven interviews. The key components of professors' ideas about teaching part of their professionalism are identified: skills, targets, assessment of the role of professional relations within the academic community, and the practice of maintaining a professional level. The basis of the conflict of these ideas with the vision of the administration and similar points of view of professors and the administration are revealed. Reasons for the formation of professional solidarity in the academic community of the university are determined.