THE IMPACT OF INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS ON IMPROVING THE QUALITY AND EFFICIENCY OF MANAGEMENT AND REGULATION OF HIGHER EDUCATION.

Purpose: The study aims to determine the directions of professionalization of university management to achieve sustainable development of higher education institutions. Methods: The paper examines the leading theoretical standpoints concerning professional university management and presents the concept of the university as an organized system. An expert survey is utilized to identify the main directions of specialization of university management. Results: Most respondents (56.4%) believe that changes introduced by Federal Law facilitate more efficient university management, while 40% voice the opposite opinion. The study shows that the respondents very strongly (29.1%) and rather strongly (38.2%) agree that universities need to fulfill similar tasks. Conclusions: The authors conclude that the professionalization of university management is taking place in many countries, is a part of the transformation of the higher education sector, and encompasses the implementation of the concept of strategic university management, the enhancement and improvement of university administration, and the professional development of managers in higher education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]