Implementation of the third mission in Ukrainian universities

Abstract

The study aimed to create recommendations for integrating the third mission (TM) into the activities of Ukrainian universities based on the classification. The study analysed 50 university charters, with six universities serving as the focal point of the analysis, offering detailed insights into how the TM is implemented across various institutional types. The mixed methods included the classification by profiles, analysis of websites and university documents, as well as content analysis to identify the main areas of the TM and develop recommendations for its further development. The study analysed the implementation of the TM in Ukrainian universities by examining 50 higher education institutions included in the TOP-200 ranking for 2021. The main results of the study were to identify differences in approaches to the implementation of the TM among universities of different profiles (classical, technical), as well as to identify the main areas of this mission, such as innovation, cooperation with business and local authorities, participation in social and regional projects. The analysis revealed that classical universities were more actively engaged in the implementation of the TM, while technical universities focused on scientific and technical aspects. It was also confirmed that universities faced certain limitations in funding and organisational support, which affected the effectiveness of the implementation of the TM. The findings emphasised the importance of the TM for universities as an important element in the development of the social and economic roles in the country. The identified trends showed the need to deepen the interaction of universities with the community and business, as well as to expand the participation in social and cultural initiatives. For further development, it was important to overcome the financial and organisational barriers that limited the full implementation of the TM in universities.