CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES IN UKRAINIAN HIGHER EDUCATION GOVERNANCE

Abstract

This article examines the governance of Ukrainian higher education institutions (HEIs) during a period of unprecedented systemic transformation, brought on by both domestic reform initiatives and external crises. The relevance of the topic stems from Ukraine's ongoing transition from a post-Soviet administrative legacy toward a modern, decentralized, and European-aligned model of higher education governance. The purpose of the study is to assess how governance structures in Ukrainian HEIs are responding to current challenges while identifying strategic opportunities for reform and innovation. Methodologically, the article employs a qualitative analytical framework, integrating official national statistics, legislative documents, and policy strategies with interpretive analysis to assess the effects of governance reforms implemented between 2020 and 2024. Special attention is paid to structural shifts in institutional networks, student enrollment dynamics, financial flows, and internationalization trends. The study’s results show that despite major constraints—including military conflict, economic instability, demographic decline, and institutional fragmentation—Ukraine has made significant progress in reforming its higher education governance system. Key achievements include the introduction of strategic planning frameworks, the implementation of student-centered learning trajectories, and the adoption of national qualification standards. However, several challenges persist, such as outdated infrastructure, uneven digital readiness, and financial instability across institutions. Moreover, the war has exposed vulnerabilities in the system, such as reduced mobility, displaced academic communities, and the closure of institutions in conflict zones. Nevertheless, the analysis highlights critical opportunities for enhancing governance capacity: greater institutional autonomy, expanded digital governance, stronger quality assurance mechanisms, and integration with European education networks. These developments suggest that Ukrainian HEIs, with appropriate support and vision, can evolve into more efficient, inclusive, and competitive actors within the global higher education landscape.