Ukrainian higher education in the context of a full-scale russian military invasion: unusual conditions, usual problems

The article is dedicated to the issues of adapting the Ukrainian higher education system, educational institutions, and educators to the conditions of war caused by the full-scale military invasion of Russia into Ukraine. It highlights the significant negative consequences and losses suffered by the Ukrainian education system. Referring to the results of the authors’ research, as well as studies conducted by Ukrainian scholars during the wartime period, the authors conclude that the Ukrainian education system has relatively quickly adapted to the challenging and extreme conditions. To support this conclusion, data from external evaluations of the quality of university educational programs are presented, confirming that despite the war, universities continue to conduct their educational activities at a sufficient and fairly high level of quality. The foundation of the article consists of the results of a study conducted by the authors using the method of focused group interviews. The findings of this research indicate that the issues articulated within the educational community have, by the third year of the war, become more aligned with those that were raised prior to the fullscale invasion. Importantly, the research results have applied significance; they will be compiled and communicated to central governmental authorities with the aim of initiating a dialogue, achieving a certain consensus, and making positive governmental decisions, as well as implementing the necessary legislative and other changes.