KEY STEPPING STONES OF MODERN HIGHER EDUCATION: TRAPPED VALUES AND RESHAPING OF THE PARADIGM

Abstract

The article is dedicated to reviewing the doctrinal foundations and values in the field of higher education considering the influence of social changes. To achieve the research goal, strategic documents of specialized institutions such as UNESCO, the Observatory of the Magna Charta, the International Association of Universities (IAU), the European University Association (EUA), the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU), etc., were analyzed. It emphasizes that among the main doctrinal and value foundations of modern higher education, documents highlight academic freedom, institutional autonomy, and social responsibility; enhancing the role of higher education in achieving sustainable development goals; orienting education to the needs of the labor market and the development of soft skills, including critical thinking, decision-making skills, adaptability, and emotional intelligence. Important trends in higher education development also include digitization and the use of artificial intelligence. While digitization has become mandatory after the limitations of the COVID-19 pandemic and the mass development of higher education in the conditions of globalization, attitudes towards the spread of artificial intelligence are quite ambiguous. Noting that the advantages of using artificial intelligence in higher education include its ability to adapt to individual learning styles and free up time from routine tasks, researchers warn that excessive use of this tool may hinder the development of such essential skills as teamwork, leadership, empathy, creativity, critical analysis, and independent thinking, which are crucial for future job markets.