University competitiveness leagues: motivating mechanism of network development

The article is devoted to the analysis of the formation of university networks and the justification of a possible mechanism of their development through the introduction of university competitiveness leagues. For this purpose, the real processes of differentiation and integration of global, regional, and national networks of higher education institutions are considered. The immanent structuring of whole networks is shown with the use of rating, classification, association assessment mechanisms. It is argued that networks are objectively stratified into strata of institutions of equivalent competitiveness, which is not fully taken into account in the development of policies and implementation of higher education development practices. At the same time, the legislation, which puts de facto different institutions in essentially equal conditions, demotivates movement to the heights of competitiveness within the framework of a heterogeneous network. In particular, in Ukraine, the former practice of dividing higher education institutions according to I-IV accreditation levels has been eliminated by law, another gradation of universities by dividing them into national and research universities is not implemented. Instead, the new Ukrainian legislative field is not oriented to take into account the real systemic demarcation of institutions, to special support for competitive university development, and to promote the transition to a higher level of competitiveness. It is shown that under the Bologna Process for 25 years and in the perspective until 2030, no effective mechanism of consideration and targeted support of universities with different competitive status has been proposed. The Tirana Ministerial Conference of 2024 removed from the agenda the implementation of the second (external) dimension of the European Higher Education Area regarding the achievement of «competitiveness and attractiveness». From now on, in perspective, this space is considered only in one (internal) dimension as «compatible and comparable». Such a reduction of the Bologna Process is inconsistent with all previous ministerial documents (from the Bologna Declaration to the Rome Communiqué), reduces its effectiveness, in particular with regard to mobility and cooperation, and ultimately creates the risk of a decrease in the interest of countries with leadership higher education as well, as top universities, in it. This simplification of the Bologna Process is contrary to modern EU policy on enhncement economic competitiveness, including Budapest Declaration on the New Europe Competitive Deal. In order to motivate the constant and consistent progress of universities to the most advanced states, it is proposed to standardize and practically implement university competitiveness leagues within the national and European networks of higher education institutions, which would include institutions of a parity level of development. This will contribute to the competitiveness and attractiveness of European higher education in general and especially to increase the contribution of Ukrainian universities to the country’s defence capability and post-war recovery, and further European integration of Ukraine as a strong state to a strong Europe.