Integral indicator for assessing the efficiency of academic mobility projects in higher education organizations

Aim . The work aimed to develop an integral indicator for assessing the efficiency of academic mobility projects in higher education organizations to improve management processes. Objectives . The work seeks to specify the concept of an academic mobility project in higher education organizations; to identify the key criteria for the efficiency of the project under consideration in higher education; to determine the weighting coefficients for each criterion based on an expert assessment; to test the developed tools using a sample of two academic mobility projects implemented by the organizations under study. Methods . The authors used methods for analyzing scientific publications of Russian and international authors, expert assessment, mathematical modeling (Harrington’s desirability function and additive convolution), as well as general scientific methods of cognition, including system and structural analysis and synthesis. Results . In the course of the study, the concept of an academic mobility project in higher education organizations was elaborated. A set of key criteria determining the effectiveness of such projects was identified and analyzed. In addition, the criteria were ranked in order of priority and classified into groups. For each of them, weighting coefficients were established based on expert assessment. An integrated indicator for assessing the effectiveness of academic mobility projects in the higher education system was developed using the Harrington’s desirability function and additive convolution. The developed tools were tested on academic mobility projects at the university. Conclusions . The study authors identified key criteria for the effectiveness of academic mobility projects in the higher education system, such as the degree of attainment of the stated objectives, the degree of integration of English-language disciplines/courses, the degree of international cooperation, the concentration of resources, career prospects for participants, the degree of involvement of partnership organizations, the level of involvement of participants, the level of satisfaction of participants, and the sustainability of partnerships. The developed integrated indicator provides a comprehensive and reasonable assessment of the effectiveness of projects, so that higher education organizations can make more informed management decisions and adjust their management strategy. The study results can be used to improve the management practices of academic mobility projects and develop new development strategies in this field in Russian and international higher education organizations.