Model of a system for ensuring the sustainable competitiveness of a digital university

Abstract

The article presents a theoretical and methodological model of a system for ensuring the sustainable competitiveness of a digital university in the context of the digital transformation of the global educational space. A comprehensive analysis of modern approaches to understanding the phenomenon of a digital university as an institutional form that combines educational, scientific, managerial, social, and innovative components within a single digital ecosystem is carried out. It is determined that the competitiveness of a digital university becomes sustainable only with the implementation of a systematic approach that takes into account the influence of external and internal factors, multistakeholder interaction, digital infrastructure, and resource mobility. The author’s model is proposed, which covers six functional subsystems: research and innovation, education, management and finance, sustainable lifestyle, green campus, cooperation and promotion. The functions of each subsystem are characterized in detail and its contribution to the formation of a long-term competitive advantage of the university is substantiated. It is argued that ensuring the competitiveness of a digital university is inextricably linked to the development of human capital, in particular, to raising the level of digital competencies of academic staff, their active participation in the implementation of educational and scientific strategies, and the promotion of the university in the international space. The article also highlights the principles of competitiveness formation, including the principles of systemicity, sustainable development, competitive partnership, and platformization. An integrative approach to assessing the competitive potential of the university based on modern ratings and digital indicators is proposed. Prospects for further research related to the adaptation of the proposed model to universities of different types, as well as the development of practical tools for monitoring sustainable competitiveness in a dynamic digital environment are outlined.