Conceptual model of post-war recovery of border universities of Ukraine under the sustainable development concept

Abstract

The article presents a conceptual model for the post-war recovery of borderland universities in the context of sustainable development and digital transformation. The relevance of the study is driven by the urgent need for a systemic response from higher education institutions to the challenges posed by the armed aggression of the Russian Federation, the destruction of educational infrastructure, regional depopulation, and forced displacement of the population. Particular attention is given to border universities operating in close proximity to the aggressor state, which therefore require adapted strategies for sustainable development, digital resilience, and innovative modernization under heightened security risks.
The proposed model is based on the principles of sustainable development (environmental responsibility, social justice, economic efficiency), digital transformation (openness, security, interoperability), respect for human rights, academic freedom, and alignment with European standards of education quality. The model outlines its mission, short-, medium-, and long-term objectives, as well as the expected outcomes for key stakeholder groups, including students, academic staff, university administration, public authorities, local communities, and employers.
Special emphasis is placed on the prospects for transforming university management in border regions towards the development of innovative digital technologies, including cloud services, artificial intelligence, big data analytics, blockchain, the Internet of Things, and more. The integration of these technologies is substantiated as a driver for achieving several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions), and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), especially in the context of wartime impact on border territories.
The model identifies the potential of digital innovations in ensuring transparency of educational processes, infrastructure recovery, enhancing institutional trust, and strengthening the international integration of Ukrainian universities. It also highlights the capacity of universities to serve as agents of local sustainable transformation during the recovery period, emphasizing their role in preserving cultural identity and developing human capital.