The digital transformation of higher education increases the flexibility and accessibility of educational programs, expands the possibilities of individual learning. This study highlights potential risks of distance education and the need to combine face-to-face and online learning formats in order to provide students with fundamental knowledge. Attention is focused on the digital maturity of the university and the importance of digital competencies for research and teaching staff. The digital environment contributes not only to the progress of the university’s human capital, but also opens up opportunities for its application and integration into international academic research and projects. This work highlights the key areas of digitalization of higher education, and outlines the advantages of digital academic and business cooperation for the development of human capital. The characteristic features of the human capital of scientific and pedagogical staff of universities are highlighted. Conditions for the development of a favorable digital environment in the Russian higher education system are considered. It was emphasized that the university’s well-developed digital infrastructure helps attract talent and retain key research and teaching staff.