THE PRINCIPLE OF AUTONOMY OF A HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTION: OPPORTUNITIES, RISKS AND IMPLEMENTATION MODELS
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32782/city-development.2025.2-23Keywords:
higher education, autonomy, decentralization, educational management, performance management, HEI efficiency (HEI – Higher Education Institution)Abstract
The article explores the principle of higher education institution (HEI) autonomy as a crucial factor in the modernization of university governance. It analyzes the legal and institutional frameworks regulating autonomy in Ukraine and selected European countries, identifying four key dimensions: academic, organizational, financial, and staffing autonomy. The paper emphasizes the potential of autonomy to foster institutional resilience, stimulate educational innovation, and enhance managerial flexibility. However, it also outlines significant risks associated with its implementation in transitional contexts, such as weak institutional capacity, limited resources, and threats of external interference. The study provides a comparative analysis of HEI autonomy models in various European Union countries, highlighting the diversity of governance approaches and the balance between independence and accountability. Based on the analysis, the author proposes strategic recommendations for strengthening autonomy implementation in Ukrainian universities, ensuring that it supports rather than undermines quality assurance, transparency, and sustainable institutional development. The article contributes to the ongoing discourse on higher education reform in post-Soviet systems by offering a critical reflection on the challenges and prospects of institutional autonomy.
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