INSTITUTIONAL CAPACITY OF KHERSON STATE UNIVERSITY DURING THE WAR: MANAGERIAL STABILITY, DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION, AND NETWORKED GOVERNANCE

Abstract

The full-scale war created a real stress test for Ukraine’s higher education institutions, exposing the gap between formal university autonomy and actual institutional capacity as a factor of resilience and the ability to function effectively in a turbulent environment. In this context, Kherson State University has drawn particular attention, as its ability to sustain key business processes became a top priority. On this basis, an in-depth analysis was conducted to assess the university’s capacity to perform three core functions: effective governance, digital adaptation, and the development of strong partnership relations. The article is based on a multidimensional methodology involving data collection from various sources. It analyzes the university’s strategic documents, team stability, financial resources, international projects, and the results of surveys among staff and students, comparing data before and after the full-scale invasion, from 2022 to 2025. The findings are reflected in several criteria: stability of the educational process, organizational resilience, and the level of network relationship development. The article provides valuable insights for higher education institutions in similar circumstances and contributes to developing effective strategies to ensure their sustainability and growth. Key results are represented by indicators such as: continuity of the educational process (uptime/MAU KSU24, share of “university-in-a-smartphone” services), organizational resilience (decision-making time, preservation of management hierarchy, share of academic staff retained), resource base and partnerships (renovated classrooms/laboratories, international mobility, grant revenues, ranking positions).