THE STAKEHOLDERS’ ROLE IN IMPROVEMENT OF THE HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTION EDUCATIONAL PROCESS

Abstract

Modern higher education institutions operate in a dynamic and changing environment, constantly facing new challenges and being presented with new opportunities. This is particularly felt today, amid conditions such as martial law, social instability, and innovations in education. Despite all difficulties, the successful development of higher education institutions largely depends on their ability to effectively interact with various stakeholder groups. The publication presents the experience of scientific and pedagogical staff of the pedagogical faculty of Kherson State University in cooperation with stakeholders. The article substantiates the essence, content, and conditions of such interaction, which holds special relevance and significance for the graduates of the pedagogical faculty, governed by labor market needs. The aim of the article is to analyze approaches to improving the partnership interaction of the subjects of the pedagogical faculty with stakeholders to prepare specialists competitive in the modern labor market. The article employs results of applied methods, including analysis, synthesis, generalization of practical experience, and systematization of the results of scientific searches and available scientific-pedagogical literature. Based on the concepts of partnership, mutual benefit, and social responsibility, the authors justify the need to include stakeholders in the educational activities of the pedagogical faculty. The authors demonstrate that positive results are achieved through various forms and methods of interaction between stakeholders and the pedagogical team and future specialists. The choice of pedagogically appropriate forms and methods of cooperation depends on the goals and tasks, types of stakeholders and their needs, and the possibilities and resources of the higher education institution. Examples include informational and communication methods of cooperation (publishing information about the HEI’s activities on websites, in social networks, media, holding thematic meetings, seminars, surveys, questionnaires, focus groups); organizational and active methods (creating joint working groups to develop and implement educational programs, evaluating the quality of education, membership in the Supervisory Board, the Academic Council, creating a Stakeholder Council and an Employers’ Union, organizing internships, practices, employment of graduates); educational and methodological (development and implementation of joint educational programs, involvement in the educational process through lectures, master classes, trainings). A conclusion is formulated – stakeholders have the potential to influence: the organization of the admissions campaign; the students’ adaptation to academic life; the choice of technologies and methods for teaching academic disciplines; the quality of their methodological support; the development, monitoring, periodic review of educational programs of specialties and their content; the objectivity of assessing the learning outcomes of students.