PROSPECTS FOR THE INTEGRATION OF UKRAINIAN HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS INTO THE EUROPEAN EDUCATION AREA

The article examines the prospects for the integration of higher education institutions of Ukraine into the European educational space. It was established that June 23 was a historic moment in the history of Ukraine — representatives of all 27 EU countries voted to grant Ukraine the status of a candidate for EU membership. This significantly expanded the list of modern European tools for supporting participants in the educational process in Ukraine. As an example, these tools are considered: Science4Refugees, Erasmus, Horizon Europe, etc. Statistical data characterizing the current state of the educational infrastructure of Ukraine, which has undergone significant destruction as a result of Russia's war crimes, is provided. The main measures taken by the team of the Ministry of Education and Culture of Ukraine and partners from the EU to ensure the stability and continuity of the educational process of Ukrainian refugee students abroad are described. Ways of integrating higher education institutions of Ukraine into the European educational space are analyzed: expansion of student and teacher exchange programs, double degree programs, individual grant programs. Directions for improving the educational process and teaching methods in Ukrainian universities in accordance with the requirements of the European educational space are proposed. The analyzed steps of European ministers' assistance during the war period to participants in the educational process: provision of educational services to forcibly evacuated citizens of Ukraine; integration of Ukrainian refugee students into the education system of European countries; psychological support and socialization of students in EU countries; directions for diversification of financial instruments to help the education system of Ukraine, as well as strengthening cooperation and participation in joint international scientific projects; implementation of student academic exchange and program mobility, etc. The need to preserve the unique features, especially the rich cultural and historical heritage, of the Ukrainian system of education and science in the process of European integration was noted.