DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY
of National University Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic
for the period 2023-2027

INTRODUCTION

The Development Strategy of the National University "Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic" (hereinafter referred to as the Strategy) defines the development areas of the University at the current stage of the society and economy development of the region and country. In order to realize the mission and vision of the National University "Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic" (hereinafter referred to as the University), the Strategy provides for strategic and operational goals, objectives with corresponding indicators of achievement (performance), mechanism and expected results.

The Strategy is coordinated with the Strategy for the Development of Higher Education in Ukraine for 2022-2032 and other programme documents of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine. The strategy is aimed at achieving the Sustainable Development Goals of Ukraine for the period up to 2030 to ensure comprehensive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. The Strategy is aligned with the Human Development Strategy. The Strategy adheres to the key principles and documents of the European Higher Education Area, in particular to ensure the quality of higher education, increase competitiveness, enhance compatibility and comparability of higher education systems of the participating countries and facilitate the mobility of citizens for further study or employment in the common European Higher Education Area.

The strategy is in line with the goal of forming the inclusive, innovative and interconnected European Higher Education Area by 2030.

DESCRIPTION OF EXTERNAL AND INTERNAL PROBLEMS AND CHALLENGES OF THE UNIVERSITY DEVELOPMENT THAT LED TO THE ADOPTION OF THE STRATEGY

External:

– war in Ukraine;

– decline in the level of household incomes of the region as a result of the war;

– negative impact of COVID-19;

– stiff competition between higher education institutions (hereinafter - HEIs) within Ukraine and in the region;

– high attractiveness of foreign (European) higher education institutions;

– unfavorable demographic situation;

– low salaries of employees at higher education institutions (lowering the prestige of the profession);

– limited funding for university development from the state and local budgets;

– insufficient involvement of employers in the processes of forming learning outcomes of educational curricula;

– low level of trust in the results of research and innovation activities of higher education institutions.

 

Internal:

– outdated and worn-out material and technical base of the university;

– insufficient level of digitalization of the university;

– lack of perfection in the system of internal quality assurance of education;

– elements of academic dishonesty;

– increase in the average age of academic staff;

– lack of advanced system for the development of research and teaching staff (weak motivation for personal achievements);

– potential outflow of academic staff abroad and to other regions of Ukraine;

– lack of systematic analysis and forecasts for the regional and national labor market;

– insufficient development of interaction practice between the university and general secondary, vocational and non-formal education institutions;

– insufficient social responsibility of the university and its involvement in solving national and regional problems;

– insufficient use of internationalization potential;

– insufficient level of foreign language skills of all participants in the educational process;

– insufficient use of international mobility opportunities.

The analysis of the current state of the university (SWOT analysis)

1. Strengths of the University:

– a wide range of curricula providing different types and fields, focused on ensuring mass higher education;

– availability of specialties for training professionals required to rebuild the country in the post-war period;

– availability of highly qualified research and teaching staff;

– sufficient capital facilities for the organization of the educational process;

– readiness for change (availability of the team of like-minded people);

– formed image of the leading regional higher education institution;

– partnership in industrial and other regional associations (Potential, Zaporizhzhia Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Zaporizhzhia EAM cluster (engineering, automation, mechanical engineering);

– good experience of participation in international educational and research projects.

 

2. Opportunities for further development of the university:

– Ukraine's accession to the EU and NATO, which opens up new opportunities for international cooperation;

– increase in the number of foreign students;

– expansion of academic mobility of students, academic staff, teachers and researchers;

– real involvement of stakeholders, including employers, in the development and implementation of curricula;

– increasing interest of foreign educational institutions, scientific institutions, international organizations in the sphere of education and science in expanding cooperation with Ukraine in general and the University in particular;

– increasing the confidence of citizens, the state and business in the results of educational, scientific and innovative activities of the National University "Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic";

– implementation of programs for the restoration of Ukraine, which can stimulate the growth of demand for graduates and the results of scientific and innovative activities;

– expansion of the University's participation in the implementation of national, regional and sectoral development programmes;

– introduction of digital technologies to improve the quality of education, scientific and managerial activities;

– creating new jobs for graduates through the development of economy and the knowledge of digital economy.

 

3. Weaknesses of the university

– lack of systematic analysis and forecasting the regional labor market;

– insufficient level of financial autonomy and financial support;

– insufficient efficiency of employment monitoring of graduates;

– insufficient feedback from employers on their needs and competencies of graduates;

– scientific and innovative activities do not fully correspond to the current world level of research in the relevant areas;

– outdated training equipment and research infrastructure;

– insufficient practical training of applicants;

– insufficient level of foreign language skills of education process participants;

– non-transparent mechanism of material incentives for employees;

– lack of the talent pool system;

– relatively low cost of education services, which does not cover the minimum necessary expenses;

– outdated management technologies, insufficient involvement of participants in making key decisions in the training process.

 

4. Threats to university development

– national and regional demographic crisis of the war and post-war period;

– low paying capacity of the population of the region;

– reduction of public spending on higher education in the war and post-war period;

– decreased demand for highly qualified specialists due to the destruction of industrial potential as the result of the war;

– intense competition caused by globalization;

– potential loss of qualified academic staff.

STRATEGIC GOALS AND INDICATORS OF THEIR ACHIEVEMENT, EXPECTED RESULTS

The mission (main goal) of the University is to contribute to the development of the Ukrainian state and society, the South-Eastern region of Ukraine, forming the necessary highly educated and nationally conscious human potential; creating new knowledge and technologies; providing opportunities and conditions for personal development; carrying out applied research, examinations and consultations for intellectual support of government and self-government bodies, enterprises, institutions and organizations.

Vision of the University is as follows. The University is a leading competitive multidisciplinary higher education institution, comfortable for all students and employees and inspired inclusive intellectual environment, able to carry out educational, scientific, innovative, expert and consulting activities in accordance with the needs of Ukrainian society and world quality standards.

The strategic and operational goals and objectives are aimed at implementing the mission and vision of the University, solving current problems, facing expected risks and challenges based on the most relevant use of opportunities and available resources, developing the University taking into account the interests of all parties concerned, the projected results of the Strategy implementation and current restrictions.

Strategic goal 1 (SG1). Creating the effective management system of the National University "Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic" and ensuring the social responsibility of the University.

Operational objectives (O):

(O 1.1) improving the efficiency of the management system of the National University "Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic";

(O 1.2) training the right professionals required to satisfy the needs of the Ukrainian state, society and Zaporizhzhia region;

(O 1.3) bearing social responsibility by the National University "Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic": participation in developing and/or implementing the legislation, strategic documents and projects of the government and local authorities, enterprises, institutions, organizations; creating the inclusive learning, scientific and innovative environment;

(O 1.4) taking advantage of all opportunities provided by the institutional autonomy of the National University "Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic" (including financial);

(O 1.5) diversification of income sources of the National University "Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic" by expanding the scope of the University activities.

 

Expected results (R):

(R 1.1) The University is competitive in all major areas of educational, scientific, innovative and expert advisory activities;

(R 1.2) The University carries out training according to the competitive curricula that ensure the formation of competencies which are in demand in the labor market;

(R 1.3) Improving the reputation of the university, its influence on decision-making and involvement in solving current social problems.

(R 1.4) The University implements the rights of institutional autonomy within the law of Ukraine and in accordance with the practices of the EU countries to ensure effective management, financial capacity, developing personnel potential and its organization structure.

 

Indicators of achieving goals (I):

(I 1.1) The university is included in the international university rankings. At least 10% of scientific papers are published in scientific journals that are included in the 1-2 quartiles of the Scopus and/or Web of Science scientometric databases. The volume of the university's income from applied research, innovative and expert-consulting activities has increased by at least one and a half times (in constant prices), as compared to 2021.

(I 1.2) The University trains at least 8,000 applicants for bachelor degree, at least 4,000 for master degree, at least 30 for doctoral degree, and at least 100 people for adult curricula. Some curricula are interdisciplinary. At least 15% of curricula are carried out in the partnership with Ukrainian or foreign institutions of higher education, research institutions, enterprises and/or organizations.

(I 1.3) University employees are engaged in the working groups of state authorities and local governments (at least 10 groups per year); they annually participate in carrying out of at least 10 social projects at the all-Ukrainian, regional and local level; rates to ensure the inclusiveness of educational and scientific activities correspond to the average for EU countries.

(I 1.4) Regulatory documents of the National University "Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic" implement all the possibilities of academic, personnel, financial and organizational autonomy that do not contradict the legislation of Ukraine.

(I 1.5) The share of the University's income from other activities (except for educational activities in the area of higher education) is not less than 5%.

Strategic goal 2 (SG2). Ensuring the confidence of citizens, the state and business in the educational, scientific, innovative activities of the National University "Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic".

Operational objectives (O):

(O 2.1) to ensure fair and transparent admission to the National University "Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic", to offer applicants the chance to choose the syllabi of formal and nonformal education consciously and knowledgably;

(O 2.2) the National University "Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic" creates promising innovations, introduces demanded syllabi of formal and nonformal education, ensures the quality of educational and scientific activities;

(O 2.3) business confidence in the results of research, examination and consulting services of the National University "Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic";

(O 2.4) engaging civil society representatives in policy making in the area of education, science and innovation, decision-making procedures at the National University "Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic";

(O 2.5) intolerance of educational process participants to corruption, discrimination based on different signs and academic dishonesty.

 

Expected results (R):

(R 2.1) Admission to the National University "Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic" is fair and transparent, the university provides reliable information necessary for the

entrant to make informed decisions regarding the choice of a higher education institution and curricula of formal and non-formal education;

(R 2.2) The curricula, plans of scientific and innovative activities of the National University "Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic" are agreed with the representatives of the parties concerned;

(R 2.3) The results of educational, scientific and innovative activities are used by the parties concerned. Key stakeholders finance applied research, innovation, analytical and expert consulting activities of the university;

(R 2.4) The regulatory documents of the National University "Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic" specify public accreditation of certain syllabi and engaging of public organizations in the area of education and science, public self-government bodies, representatives of veterans and graduates of the University to discuss projects and make decisions on policy formulation in the area of education, science and innovation.

(R. 2.5) The regulatory documents of the National University "Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic" contain effective mechanisms for combating corruption, discrimination based on different signs and academic dishonesty.

 

Indicators of achieving goals (I):

(I 2.1) Number of complaints regarding violations of admission rules; absence, incompleteness and/or unreliability of information on admission rules and/or syllabi of formal and informal education;

(I 2.2) The percentage of citizens aged 18-65, according to the results of surveys in Zaporizhzhia and the region, fully or mostly positively evaluate the results of the educational, scientific and innovative activities of the National University Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic, in 2027 – no less than 70%;

(I 2.3) At least 80% of graduates of bachelor and master curricula are employed in accordance with the level of received education within 1 year after graduation or continue to obtain higher education at the next level. At least 90% results of applied research and innovation are implemented or received positive feedback from customers.

(I 2.4) Public accreditation of some higher education curricula has been carried out. The University's regulatory documents provide for engaging of public organizations in the area of education and science, public self-government bodies, representatives of veterans and graduates of the University to discuss projects and make decisions on policy formulation in the area of education, science and innovation.

(I 2.5) The proportion of different categories of participants in the educational process who have not observed corruption, discrimination, and academic dishonesty in 2027 will be at least 80%.

Strategic goal 3 (SG3). Ensuring quality educational and scientific activities, competitive higher education, which is affordable to different segments of the population, research and innovation at the National University "Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic".

Operational objectives (O):

(O 3.1) modernization of infrastructure, educational and scientific space and training and research equipment, in particular, taking into account the requirements of inclusiveness and multiculturalism;

(O 3.2) continuous improvement of education quality in accordance with the standards and recommendations for quality assurance in the European Higher Education Area;

(O 3.3) the results of scientific and applied research and innovation are taken into consideration in syllabi;

(O 3.4) The National University "Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic" has the reputation as a higher education institution that provides quality education, in particular higher and nonformal education;

(O 3.5) The National University "Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic" has the reputation as a higher education institution capable of solving complex scientific and applied problems relevant for Ukraine and the region, and of implementing significant innovations.

 

Expected results (R):

(R 3.1) the educational and scientific environment of the National University "Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic" is modern, multicultural and inclusive;

(R 3.2) the system of internal quality assurance of higher education meets the Standards and Recommendations for Quality Assurance in the European Higher Education Area;

(R 3.3) the curricula and syllabi of the University are modern and competitive;

(R 3.4) the graduates of the National University "Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic" are demanded in the national and European labor market;

(R 3.5) research results and innovations of the University are recognized in Ukraine and in the world.

Indicators of achieving goals (I):

 

(I 3.1) syllabi and scientific laboratories at university have modern training and scientific equipment, they use modern digital technologies and software, the academic and scientific environment meets the requirements for inclusiveness and multiculturalism;

(I 3.2) the system of internal quality assurance of higher education of the National University "Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic" is assessed positively by the National Agency for Higher Education Quality Assurance and international partners of the University;

(I 3.3) no less than 70% of the syllabi of the National University "Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic" are accredited by the National Agency for Higher Education Quality Assurance and/or foreign accreditation agencies or agencies for higher education quality assurance included in the list approved by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine;

(I 3.4) the proportion of graduates of the National University "Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic" who pay taxes in Ukraine as entrepreneurs or employees two years after graduation (except for those who continue their studies, serve in the security forces or they are on social leave), in 2027 – increase at each stage of the Strategy implementation by 2 percent compared to the first study;

(I 3.5) no less than 8% of articles illustrating the results of scientific research of the University teaching staff are published in the journals included in the first quartiles of the Scopus and WoS databases; according to these databases at least 3% of research and teaching staff of the University have the Hirsch index not lower than 8 (excluding self-citation and citation by employees of the University).

Strategic goal 4 (SG 4). Internationalization of the National University "Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic".

Operational objectives (O):

(O 4.1) participation of the National University "Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic" in the events of international organizations working in the sphere of education and science;

(O 4.2) dynamic growth in the number of foreign students at the National University "Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic";

(O 4.3) dynamic growth of external academic mobility of higher education students, research and teaching staff of the National University "Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic";

(O 4.4) increasing number of international education and scientific cooperation projects;

(O 4.5) inviting foreign teachers and scientists to Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic University under the terms of short-term or long-term contracts.

 

Expected results (R):

(R 4.1) improving the reputation of the National University "Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic" and its recognition in the world;

(R 4.2) creating the multicultural environment at the National University "Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic", attractive for foreign students by the quality of education and learning conditions;

(R 4.3) improving the quality of higher education and research by taking into consideration the best world practices and bringing the content of higher education closer to the needs of students;

(R 4.4) integration into the European Higher Education Area and the European Research Area, access to modern training and unique scientific equipment;

(R 4.5) improving the quality of teaching.

 

Indicators of achieving goals (I):

(I 4.1) The National University "Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic" institutionally or through its research and teaching staff participates in the activities of international organizations that shape European policy in the area of higher education, research and innovation.

(I 4.2) increase in the number of foreigners and people without citizenship among the students obtaining higher education at the National University "Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic" in Ukraine in 2027 (number of people);

(I 4.3) at least 5% of higher education students and 10% of research, scientific and teaching staff in 2027 will participate in various forms of academic mobility, including virtual mobility;

(I 4.4) by 2027, the National University "Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic" or its representatives will have participated in carrying out at least 20 international educational and/or scientific projects;

(I 4.5) by 2027, the part of the teaching load will have carried out by foreign teachers and researchers.

Strategic goal 5 (SG5). Attractiveness of the National University "Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic" for study and academic career.

Operational objectives (OG):

(O 5.1) applying the principles of student-centered learning, which is the basis for the organization of the educational process;

(O 5.2) ensuring the professionalism, credibility and integrity of the scientific and pedagogical, research and teaching staff of the National University "Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic";

(O 5.3) creating conditions for professional development of scientific and pedagogical, research and teaching staff of the National University "Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic";

(O 5.4) creating favorable learning and working conditions for all students and employees of the National University "Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic";

(O 5.5) raising the social status of the academic, scientific, pedagogical staff of the National University "Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic".

 

Expected results (R):

(R 5.1) providing opportunities for the formation of individual educational trajectories, the choice of education forms for all people studying at the National University "Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic";

(R 5.2) requirements for qualification, teaching and scientific research activities of the academic staff, research and teaching staff of the National University "Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic" and criteria for evaluating the results of their activities stimulate professional development and integrity;

(R 5.3) creating conditions for personal and professional development of scientific and pedagogical, research and teaching staff of the National University "Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic";

(R 5.4) the educational and scientific environment of the National University "Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic" promotes quality education and work of all students and employees;

(R 5.5) the remuneration system enables to engage leading specialists in the relevant specialties and young professionals to the University.

 

Indicators of achieving goals (I):

(I 5.1) the percentage of graduates of the National University "Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic" who took advantage of cross admission, studied according to joint, double, interdisciplinary curricula or in the dual form of higher education (increase every year until 2027) by 1.5 percent;

(I 5.2) according to the results of the survey, no less than 80% of the academic, research and teaching staff of the National University "Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic" believe that the requirements for qualification, teaching and research activities and the criteria for evaluating the results of their activities stimulate professional development and integrity;

(I 5.3) according to the results of the survey, at least 80% of the academic, research and teaching staff of the National University "Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic" believe that conditions for their personal and professional development have been created;

(I 5.4) according to the results of the survey, no less than 80% of the academic, research and teaching staff of the National University "Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic" and at least 80% of the higher education students believe that the educational and scientific environment of the National University "Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic" contributes to their quality education or work;

(I 5.5) no less than 20% of scientific and teaching staff vacancies are filled by the results of the competition where at least 2 applicants participate; at least 10% of research and teaching, scientific and pedagogical staff are young professionals.

Strategic goal 6 (SG6). Digitalization of the National University "Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic".

Operational objectives (O):

(O 6.1) ensuring sustainability and flexibility of the educational process (ability to respond to any external factors) without losing the quality and pace of learning;

(O 6.2) developing skills to work with digital technologies of all participants in the educational process;

(O 6.3) optimization of the time spent by both higher education students and research and teaching staff, provided that full feedback is achieved between participants in the educational process, primarily in terms of counseling and assessment of expected learning outcomes of students using modern digital tools;

(O 6.4) increasing the motivation and involvement of students in the educational process;

(O 6.5) personalization of education for students through the wide application of distance learning technologies and services, the formation of an individual educational trajectory and, as a result, ensuring the analysis of data interpreted in the context of the model of competencies of both the student and any university employee.

 

Expected results (R):

(R 6.1) digitization of university management processes;

(R 6.2) digitalization of the educational environment;

(R 6.3) presence in the information space;

(К 6.4) material and technical support of digitization.

 

Indicators of achieving goals (I):

(I 6.1) introducing the elements of complex automation of university management, including the electronic document management system (EDMS) from 01.09.2023;

(I 6.2) ensuring the growth of the digital literacy level of university employees (continuously);

(I 6.3) structural update of the official website of the university and its information content (by 01.06.2023);

(I 6.4) increasing the presence of the university in social networks (permanently);

(I 6.5) increase in the university website ranking positions in the National and International rates (continuously);

(I 6.6) full functioning of the "Class Schedule" mobile application (during 2023);

(I 6.7) full functioning of the Catalogue of Syllabi from September 1, 2023;

(I 6.8) by 31.12.2025 increase of classrooms (lecture rooms, auditoriums) provided with multimedia equipment or other special equipment that ensures the functioning of multimedia equipment (including the ability to connect portable equipment) by 45% (compared to 2021).

STRATEGY IMPLEMENTATION MECHANISMS

Organizational support for the implementation of this Strategy includes developing specific objectives and operational plans for its fulfillment, which specify certain measures with deadlines for their completion. Operational plans to implement this Strategy have to be developed in stages for 2023-2024 and 2025-2027 with the possibility of their annual revision.

Institutional support for the implementation of this Strategy includes improving the regulatory and legal support of the university, in particular, developing regulations necessary to achieve the goals of this Strategy and approving them in a certain way; distribution of powers between the university departments responsible for carrying out operational plans of this Strategy implementation in accordance with their competence and resource capabilities ensuring their interaction; financial and institutional autonomy of the university that includes actual simultaneous accountability to public; establishing effective cooperation between the units responsible for implementing this Strategy, including common activities to carry out projects; preventing (eliminating) conflicts of interest; preventing corruption; conclusion of bilateral and multilateral agreements on the provision of educational services, mutual recognition of education levels, qualifications, etc.

The financial support for the implementation of this Strategy involves the use of funds from the state and local budgets, international technical assistance, and other sources not prohibited by law.

Information support for the Strategy realization involves creating and operating the system of monitoring and evaluating its implementation, collection and systematization of monitoring data; analysis of current data; ongoing support for this Strategy implementation, developing proposals and recommendations to update its goals and objectives.

Stages of the Strategy implementation

This Strategy will be implemented in two stages, which include:

• the first (2023-2024) – introducing, developing tools and testing;
• the second (2025-2027) – implementation, correction and completion;

Control, monitoring and evaluation of the Strategy implementation effectiveness

The Rector of the University supervises the implementation of the Strategy. It is expected to distribute certain powers to control the realization of certain components of the Strategy among vice-rectors, deans of faculties, heads of other structural units, having defined target indicators of their activities.

The implementation of this Strategy is monitored on the ongoing basis, and the results are discussed at the meetings of the University Administration. Reports on its results are discussed at the meeting of the University Academic Council and published annually. The annual reports contain conclusions on the implementing measures envisaged by the operational plan for the realization of this Strategy for the relevant period, as well as the offers for its correction, if necessary.

In 2027 the university is preparing the detailed report summarizing the results of this Strategy implementation in all respects, across all goals and objectives.

The current evaluation of the results of this Strategy implementation is carried out annually by the university and is made public no later than March 1 of the following year.

Reports on the evaluation of the results of this Strategy implementation are published on the official website of the university.