UNIVERSITY AS A SYNTHESIS OF SELECTED PRACTICES OF HIGHER PROFESSIONAL AND HUMANITARIAN EDUCATION

Abstract

The paper reveals an algorithm for developing a strategy for the reformation and development of higher education institutions, based on the synthesis of practices of higher professional and humanitarian education applied in Ukraine and abroad. The relevance of this model and its substantive content has been verified during the period from its development in 2018 to the present, including under the legal regime of martial law. The study outlines trends, aspects, concepts, and issues related to the development of a highly educated individual, namely: the acquisition of personal and professional qualities; creation of an environment of academic freedom and open self-expression and development of educational interaction participants; empowerment with rights and tools for achieving one’s calling; providing the best opportunities for interdisciplinary breakthroughs; establishing the university’s reputation as a reliable employer; real implementation of the principle of “lifelong learning”; cultivation of strong personal ethics as the basis for ethically resilient professional practice; and fostering a university environment that unites education, science, and personal development into a coherent whole. The paper also proposes ways to cultivate the qualities of university staff and leaders who must bear the “burden” of all these aspects of activity, building their work on the principles of servant leadership. The article presents a brief summary of the main provisions of the university development strategy proposed by the author in 2018. Particular attention is given to key aspects of professional and humanitarian activities of higher education institutions that should be prioritized in post-war Ukraine, including: educational service to society through the lens of morality; university autonomy; innovative transformation of education, science, and labor relations; dignity in academic careers; the culture of national identity; and the mission of the university in post-war Ukraine. The conclusions highlight the positive outcomes of reforming modern universities based on the practices of professional and humanitarian education, which enable both personal and professional growth for all participants in the process. It is emphasized that a modern university should be the result of merging a grand vision with the detailed aspects that embody its diverse activities.