IMPROVING THE METHODOLOGY FOR SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF JOINT EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMES IN THE CONTEXT OF THE DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION OF HIGHER EDUCATION

Abstract

This article substantiates the need to shift from the administrative support of joint educational programmes to the sustainable management of their entire life cycle. Sustainability is clarified in relation to programmes delivered jointly by two or more universities. It encompasses academic viability, legal recognition, organisational and financial sustainability, digital interoperability, equitable access for participants, and the capacity to adapt to change without compromising educational quality. The methodological framework of the study comprises an analytical review of scholarly publications, a comparative analysis of international quality assurance requirements, an examination of the strategic documents of the Republic of Uzbekistan, and process modelling. The study identifies the main limitations of existing management approaches, including unclear allocation of responsibilities among partner institutions, fragmented data, duplicated procedures, inconsistencies in academic calendars and assessment systems, excessive dependence on individual programme coordinators, insufficient formalisation of risks, and the absence of early warning mechanisms. An integrated sustainable management model is proposed, comprising six interrelated domains: institutional, academic, digital, human resources and communication, resource management, and risk and adaptation. Management objectives, digital mechanisms, and monitoring indicators are defined for each domain. The findings demonstrate that digitalisation contributes to the sustainability of joint educational programmes only when it is supported by common data governance rules, clearly distributed responsibilities, and a regular cycle of monitoring and continuous improvement.