Autonomy of higher education institutions: analysis of the key European and International documents

Academic freedom, institutional autonomy and respect for the rule of law in relations between public authorities, higher education institutions and students are essential to democratic societies, and can be considered as the fundamental values of the European Higher Education Area. The European Governments have recognized the university autonomy as a precondition for the successful development of higher education. The European Commission notes as a priority the creation of a new framework for universities that are characterized by increased levels of autonomy and accountability. The Council of the European Union confirms this approach and establishes a direct relationship between autonomy and the ability of universities to meet the expectations of society. International experts emphasize the direct link between the institutional capacity of higher education institutions, the ability to identify and develop their own institutional profile and the autonomy of universities. The necessity and role of autonomy in the sphere of higher education is determined. Autonomy of higher education institutions plays an important role in the strategic positions and declarations at the European and world level. It is confirmed by the relevant documents. The autonomy of universities (institutional) consists of the academic, financial, organizational and personnel autonomy. The level of university autonomy in Ukraine and European countries is analyzed on the basis of its components. Author designates that universities are the most independent in solving issues of personnel, academic, organizational and financial autonomy. Ukraine takes a position almost at the end of the «middle-low» cluster of systems, which testifies to the areas existence in which autonomy is limited.