THE QUALITY OF HIGHER EDUCATION IN THE CONTEXT OF DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION: EUROPEAN PRACTICES AND THE UKRAINIAN CONTEXT

Abstract

In the course of their research, the authors analysed European regulatory documents and analytical materials in the field of higher education quality assurance, examined key trends in the digital transformation of the educational space, and identified leading practices that could be adapted to the Ukrainian context. An analysis of European approaches to internal and external quality assurance was carried out, taking into account the impact of digitalisation, internationalisation and the development of flexible educational formats. The relevance of the study is determined by the need to increase the competitiveness of Ukrainian higher education institutions in the context of integration into the European Higher Education Area, as well as the need to ensure the sustainability and quality of the educational process in the context of martial law and large-scale socio-economic challenges. The digital transformation of the educational environment requires a rethinking of traditional quality management mechanisms, focusing on digital infrastructure, academic integrity, transparency of assessment and the development of digital competencies of participants in the educational process. The study uses systemic, competency-based and theoretical approaches, which allowed us to consider the quality of higher education as a multidimensional phenomenon combining institutional, regulatory, pedagogical and technological components. The systemic approach provided a comprehensive understanding of the interrelationships between digitalisation policies and quality assurance procedures, the competency-based approach outlined the role of digital and professional competencies in the formation of modern human capital, and the theoretical approach summarised the conceptual foundations of the modernisation of education systems. The study found that effective digital transformation of higher education is possible provided that European quality standards are integrated, internal quality assurance systems are developed, innovative digital practices are introduced, and national educational identity is preserved. The feasibility of adapting best European practices, taking into account the specifics of the Ukrainian educational space and contemporary social challenges, has been substantiated.