THE ROLE OF DIGITALIZATION IN THE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY OF UNIVERSITIES

Abstract

INTRODUCTION. In the modern world, digital transformation has a significant impact on all aspects of life, including education. Universities, as key educational institutions, cannot avoid the influence of digital technologies. Therefore, there is a need to study the role of digitalization in the social responsibility of universities. RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS: Digital technologies can contribute to enhancing the social responsibility of universities by improving access to education, promoting environmental sustainability, and supporting social-economic development. THE AIM of this article is to explore the role of digitalization in the social responsibility of universities, identify the opportunities and challenges it brings, and develop recommendations for university institutions on effective use of digital technologies to achieve social goals. METHODS. This article utilizes literature analysis, statistical data, and empirical research to assess the impact of digitalization on the social responsibility of universities. FINDINGS. The analysis revealed that digital technologies enable universities to provide wide access to education, reduce environmental impact, and foster social-economic development. However, their effective utilization requires addressing technological, financial, and cultural barriers. CONCLUSION. Digital technologies have great potential to enhance the social responsibility of universities, but their implementation should be carried out considering the specific needs and context of each university institution. KEYWORDS: digitalization; social responsibility; universities; education; environmental sustainability; social-economic development.