INNOVATIVENESS — THE KEY PRIORITY OF HIGHER EDUCATION INSITUTION’S TRANSFORMATION IN UKRAINE

Changes in the field of science and technology have prompted the need for modernization of the education sector, while European integration processes task the education system to adapt with a focus on openness, innovation, and universality. In the context of post-COVID changes, the global approach to digitizing learning has taken on new importance. The education sector, just adapting to these challenges, faced additional pressure due to the Russian invasion in 2022 and subsequent military actions. Many educational institutions suffered destruction, while a significant portion of intellectual resources had to leave the country. However, in terms of post-war recovery, the aspect of economic reform, integration with international partners, and harnessing new opportunities remains crucial. Therefore, a strategic direction in the reorganization of higher education in Ukraine is the formation and development of advanced innovative infrastructure, which will stimulate the country's innovative potential. The success of such an approach depends on the effective interaction of various infrastructure elements aimed at maximizing results. The article summarizes theoretical positions regarding the content of transformation processes in the sphere of higher education in Ukraine, which are influenced by the acceleration of scientific and technological progress and a series of global socio-economic factors. The analysis allowed for the identification of key approaches to the transformation process of higher education institutions. As a result of the research, current approaches to implementing the innovative component of the transformation of higher education institutions are identified, presenting a model of the innovative ecosystem of higher educational establishments. Implementing the research results will ensure the efficiency of post-war reconstruction in the field of higher education and its further integration into the European educational environment. The transformation of Ukraine's higher education institutions in the post-war period should take into account contemporary trends, advanced practices, innovation, and internationalization. Full engagement with the European and global educational environment opens up new horizons and prospects for Ukraine's innovative and economic potential.