Inclusive higher education as a tool for social reintegration of Ukrainian veterans: practical aspects of implementation

The article is devoted to the analysis of the possibilities of inclusive higher education as an effective tool for the social reintegration of Ukrainian war veterans. In the context of the growing number of veterans of the Russian-Ukrainian war in Ukraine, the study highlights the importance of creating conditions for their access to a quality higher education. The purpose of the article is to determine the resources of higher education institutions (HEIs) for the realization of the right of veterans to receive education, taking into account their specific educational needs and psycho-social characteristics. The research methodology is based on the analysis of regulatory documents, scientific sources and practical experience of higher education institutions in Zaporizhzhia. The methods of analysis, modeling of the educational environment, as well as comparative analysis of the practices of the Khortytsia National Academy and Zaporizhzhia National University on the organization of inclusive education for veterans are used. The results of the study demonstrate three key aspects of the implementation of inclusive higher education for veterans: the admission process, effective learning in an inclusive educational environment, and community engagement. The need to create a tolerant space of interaction in higher education institutions, the provision of professional social and pedagogical support and the introduction of organizational changes, including the creation of educational and rehabilitation units and career centers, has been determined. Particular attention is paid to the involvement of veterans in civic activity through initiatives based on higher education institutions. The conclusions emphasize that the opportunity for war veterans to obtain higher education contributes to their social reintegration, restoration of social ties and increasing competitiveness in the labor market. Prospects for further research are related to the study of the educational needs of veterans in the front-line regions of Ukraine. The relevance of the study lies in the insufficiently developed mechanisms for stable provision of veterans’ rights to inclusive higher education by HEIs, taking into account the specifics of their experience, psychoemotional state and educational needs.