Universities of Ukraine in Conditions of Full-Scale Russian Invasion: Threats, Challenges and New Prospects

Abstract

The impact of russian troops full-scale invasion against Ukrainian territory on the national education system functioning was identified and analyzed, threats to the further development of the educational sector in particular higher education, related to the loss of the human capital, the destruction of educational and scientific infrastructure were characterized. The author substantiates the conditions of university activities stabilization in terms of temporary relocation.
 The basic components of the audit of the available resources of the universities’ functioning in terms of relocation were identified and their characteristic was provided (audit of personnel and the contingent of students, scientific and pedagogical staff and employees, management audit, communication audit (external and internal), partnership audit and audit of the material and technical base of the university). The basic components of the strategic development in the conditions of the temporary relocation from the stabilization strategy to breakthrough strategy were proposed, based on the case of Mariupol State University (MSU).
 The basic components that determine the process of the MSU development stabilization in the conditions of temporary relocation were substantiated (reviewing the existing educational programs, development strategy renewal, creation of a new material and technical base in the area of relocation, maximum use of the advantages of the “window of opportunities”, providing the access to all electronic platforms and services, organization of a fundraising campaign, Humanitarian Aid Centre of the University establishment). The author proposes the basic components of the breakthrough development strategy for preserving the identity of the university and MSU staff including rebranding, digitalization, internationalization, development and approval of a new educational concept, development of own material and technical base, implementation of the university social and humanitarian mission and approval of the university as an institute of public diplomacy.