Higher school of Ukraine in the conditions of military threats and challenges: realities and prospects

Abstract

Since the introduction of the Law of Ukraine "On Higher Education" in 2014, the national higher school, like the whole of Ukraine, lives and operates in extraordinary conditions, first - the COVID-19 pandemic, and then - martial law. For the first time, martial law (against the background of the pandemic) was imposed for 30 days in 10 regions of Ukraine on November 26, 2018 as a result of the armed aggression of the Russian Federation in the area of ​​the Kerch Strait, and on February 24, 2022, martial law was imposed throughout the country by the Decree of the President of Ukraine. Martial law and military actions on a significant territory of our country had a significant impact on the life of the state and society, including the educational sector in general and the higher education system in particular.

The system of higher education (hereinafter the System) according to Article 11 of the Law of Ukraine "On Higher Education" consists of: institutions of higher education of all forms of ownership; levels, degrees and qualifications of higher education; fields of knowledge and specialties; educational programs; license conditions for implementation of educational activities; authorities in charge of management in the sphere of higher education; participants of the educational process.

The main threats and challenges facing higher education during the war period are: threats to life and health of participants in the educational process; destruction and damage to the infrastructure of the higher education institutions (HEIs); forced movement of the wound; the impact of the war on the contingent of applicants for higher education and the composition of scientific and pedagogical workers; ensuring equal access to higher education; difficulties in the production of scientific and innovative activities; limitation of opportunities for international cooperation; decrease in the quality of education; limited funding - directly or indirectly affect the state of the entire system of higher education.

The article explores ensuring the stability of the system through the transformation of its components; Decisions taken by state governing bodies and НEIs and implemented measures to ensure the operational capacity of the industry in the conditions of martial law and reconstruction in the post-war period are evaluated. Proposals for improving the management of the industry, ensuring equal access to higher education in the conditions of war, optimizing the network of universities, modernizing the organization of the educational process, and improving the quality of education are analyzed and evaluated.