THE IMPACT OF ARMED CONFLICT ON THE HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM: ANALYSIS OF THE IMPACT OF RELOCATION ON ACADEMIC LEGACY AND INSTITUTIONAL SUSTAINABILITY

Abstract

The complex relationship between armed conflict and the higher education system has become a critical area of research, especially in the context of the increasing displacement of higher education institutions caused by war. When armed conflicts erupt and escalate, they not only destroy the social fabric of territorial communities, but also severely impact educational institutions, leading to a set of challenges that threaten academic continuity and institutional stability. This research article aims to analyze the multifaceted impact of war on higher education, focusing especially on the aspect of relocation, which has become a common consequence for students, teachers and educational institutions in conflict zones. In many cases, armed conflicts force people to leave their homes, resulting in the significant displacement of students and faculty, which interrupts their learning activities and potentially loses valuable educational resources. In addition, the viability of higher education institutions is under threat as they face declining enrollment, funding, and the challenge of providing quality education in an environment of interruption, multi-regime, instability, and uncertainty. The war is a significant disruptive factor for the higher education system, with unprecedented challenges that were hard to foresee even during the pandemic, when higher education had already undergone significant changes and reforms. If during the pandemic (coronavirus) the main difficulties were in adapting the learning format, organizing work processes, choosing platforms and methods of work using information and communication technologies, now the need to resolutely fight to preserve the infrastructure of higher education institutions (HEIs) and ensure the safety of students and teaching staff has come to the fore. Despite the complexity of the situation, the unprecedented unity of Ukrainian society is a powerful force in overcoming these challenges. This cohesion has become a solid foundation for the social stability of the state and nationwide resistance to Russian aggression. Such a rapid unification of Ukrainian society and state institutions was made possible primarily due to the processes of democratization of social relations that have been taking place in Ukraine throughout the years of its independence on the basis of national values.