HIGHER EDUCATION MANAGEMENT IN THE BANI CONDITIONS: INTERNATIONAL PROJECTS AS A TOOL OF INSTITUTIONAL SUSTAINABILITY (A COMPARATIVE UKRAINIAN-PORTUGUESE ANALYSIS)

Abstract

The article analyzes the development of international project activities in higher education institutions under the conditions of increasing environmental complexity, based on the conceptual framework of the BANI model. In modern conditions, universities are increasingly facing systemic fragility, organizational pressure, and the non-linearity of management processes, which requires the transformation of traditional governance approaches.

International project activity, particularly within the Erasmus+ Programme, is becoming not only a tool of internationalization, but also an important mechanism for enhancing institutional resilience and adaptability. This is evidenced by the growing number of international partnerships, the intensification of participation in grant programs, and the increasing role of project-based management in university development.

The study is based on a comparative analysis of Poltava State Agrarian University (Ukraine) and Atlântica – Instituto Universitário (Portugal). It is established that international project activities in both institutions demonstrate a tendency toward expansion, although they differ significantly in terms of structural formalization, digitalization, and management practices.

The Ukrainian case is characterized by a high level of application activity and rapid expansion of international partnerships, which, however, is accompanied by increased workload and insufficient institutionalization of project management processes. In contrast, the Portuguese case demonstrates a more balanced approach, combining diversification of funding sources, partial institutionalization of project management, and the use of flexible digital tools.

It is determined that the effectiveness of international project activities depends on several key factors, including diversification of partnerships, institutionalization of management processes, implementation of risk management practices, and the level of digitalization. Based on these factors, a conceptual model of BANI-resilient university governance is proposed, as well as a BANI Resilience Index for assessing institutional adaptability.

The results of the study confirm that international projects contribute to increasing the sustainability and competitiveness of higher education institutions and act as a strategic tool for their adaptation in a complex and dynamic environment.