THE CONCEPT OF ENSURING FINANCIAL STABILITY OF UNIVERSITIES IN THE TRANSFORMATIONAL MODEL OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF UKRAINE

Introduction. Higher education in Ukraine is undergoing significant changes due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the full-scale war, and European integration processes. The instability of regulatory legislation and the need for adaptation require universities to be flexible and responsive, highlighting the need for new conceptual approaches to university management. Purpose. The purpose of the article is to develop and substantiate a concept for ensuring the financial stability of universities within the transformative model of Ukraine's economic development. Materials and methods. The research materials include scientific publications by domestic and foreign scholars, strategic programs for the development of higher education in Ukraine, the national economic strategy, and the human development strategy. The study employs the following scientific methods: theoretical generalization, systematization, and the conceptual method (for the logical interconnection of the concept's components); synthesis and analysis (to identify the drivers shaping the new paradigm of higher education); generalization and the synergetic method (to create an economic model for higher education institutions and determine the interrelationships between its components). Results. The concept of ensuring financial stability for universities within the transformative model of Ukraine's economic development has been developed, focusing on the integrated capability to strengthen human capital through research, innovation, and workforce development. To achieve the concept's objectives, two-level tasks have been defined: methodological and practical. The concept is based on global, national, and local drivers that determine the development trends and key motives for university operations. Key principles of the concept include strategic orientation, optimality, inclusiveness, innovation, transparency, adaptability, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness. The achievement of the concept's objectives is realized through the implementation of an economic development model for universities, which is based on a value proposition and includes components such as key resources, key activities, value proposition, delivery and promotion channels, key stakeholder groups, key partners, financial model, and financial stability. Indicators and methods for evaluating financial stability have been defined, and criteria for implementing the concept have been substantiated for the state, higher education, business, and higher education institutions. The implementation of this concept considers the current challenges in higher education and is realized within the transformative model of Ukraine's economic development, adapting to changes at the local, national, and global levels. Discussion. Future research should focus on developing models for interaction with the business sector and governmental institutions to enhance the competitiveness and ensure the financial stability of universities.