THE COMPETITIVENESS OF HIGHER EDUCATION OF UKRAINE ACCORDING TO THE INTERNATIONAL DIMENSION

Abstract

The purpose of research is evaluation of competitiveness of higher education of Ukraine in comparison with the foreign countries and under the influence of the globalization of market environment. The evaluation of the level of competitiveness of higher education in Ukraine on the modern stage under the influence of the globalization transformation and in the light of international comparisons is investigated insufficiently, which makes up for the purpose and objectives of this research. Methodology. The research is based on a comparison of the data, which are set out in the international reports about the competitiveness of countries in the world, in particular about the higher education. The analysis of the degree of researching the problem of competitiveness of higher education in the works of scientists is made in advance. Results of the research showed that the main components of pillar «High education and training» of the Global Competitiveness Index, namely: secondary education enrollment, tertiary education enrollment, quality of the education system, quality of math and science education, quality of management schools, internet access in schools, availability of research and training services and extent of staff training. The analysis of the dynamics of the indicator “Higher education and training” of Global Competitiveness Index is made for Ukraine and the other countries, which is showed the following: in the last five years the highest index of higher education and training belongs to Finland, the score of which, in the dynamics, significantly increases, concerning Ukraine, it among 132 countries takes 40th place, that is top 50 countries with the highest ranking of the competitiveness of higher education and training, this position for Ukraine is stable, with the exception of 2011, when the position was reduced to 51 in the rankings. Furthermore, in 2014 Ukraine’s rating has increased in comparison with other years. Then in more detail the macroeconomic indicators of Ukraine and Finland were analyzed. The main indicators of the level of funding of higher education in different countries have been investigated (total expenditure on education, public expenditure on higher education of GDP, total expenditure on education per capita, expenditure per student per year, personal computers per 100 population, internet users per 100 population), by the results the relevant conclusions are made. The most influential world rankings such as the Shanghai ranking, ranking QS and Times Higher Education World University Ranking are considered. The analysis of the positions of Ukrainian higher educational institutions, which are included in these rankings, is proposed, namely Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv (placed 421-430) and V.N. Karazin Kharkiv National University (placed 481-490). Additionally, the principles of improving the competitiveness of higher education are explored. Value/ originality. The obtained results showed, that it is necessary to develop an integrated evaluation methodology of the competitive positions of higher education of Ukraine.