Abstract
Aim. The paper is aimed to investigate the students’ opinion about the social responsibility carried out by higher education institutions (HEIs) in Ukraine. Nowadays social responsibility has become one of the key characteristics of modern HEIs. Ukrainian universities are trying to become 'civic universities', i.e., institutions which contribute to the development of the local community. The students, as key stakeholders of the university activities, also take part in this process. Methods. To investigate the social responsibility of the Ukrainian HEIs, the case study method is used in the present paper: the case of Mariupol State University and its social functions within the city are highlighted. The online survey was applied to investigate the level of students’ awareness of the university social functions and the role played by the university in the local community. Materials published by the university and the results of the survey have been analysed to test the hypothesis that students consider Mariupol State University to be a socially responsible university which cooperates with the local community. Results. The students’ opinion on the social functions carried out by Mariupol State University is that this local university has strong ties with the local community and authorities and perform its social mission. However, the social functions of the university, according to the students, are limited by teaching and research activities. Few students consider social responsibility of the university in a wider context. Conclusion. On the example of the MSU the paper shows that modern universities in Ukraine perform social functions and try to become truly civic universities to contribute to the development of the local communities in cooperation with different stakeholders. Nevertheless, students as a key stakeholder of the university activities still consider social responsibility of the university primarily aimed at teaching and research.
Highlights
The paper investigates the social role of higher education and intends to highlight how the functions of higher education institutions (HEIs) have changed under the influence of societal transformation
The students’ opinion on the social functions carried out by Mariupol State University is that this local university has strong ties with the local community and authorities and perform its social mission
The results of the research shows that students of the MSU are sure that this HEI is performing its social mission and activities to influence the societal changes of the Ukrainian society in general, and of the local community in particular
Summary
The paper investigates the social role of higher education and intends to highlight how the functions of higher education institutions (HEIs) have changed under the influence of societal transformation. In the context of a deep and sustained, nonlinear systemic change of the society, the universities and their role in producing knowledge as well as in their distribution has become a driver for the social-economic development of each nation. Modern universities which provide standard learning service and carry out researches and share the results of these researches within the society are considered to be “centres where knowledge is generated, accumulated, disseminated and applied” (Towards Knowledge Societies, 2019). Modern universities have changed their agenda enhancing their social mission especially on the local level: “HEIs become centres of community initiatives, drivers of social-economic development, problem-solving hubs capable to generate solutions to respond to societal challenges” (Orzhel & Tryma, 2020)
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