DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION OF HIGHER EDUCATION: A HISTORICAL AND ANALYTICAL REVIEW

Abstract

The article presents a historical and analytical overview of the digital transformation of higher education in the context of global challenges driven by the development of the information society, the COVID-19 pandemic, and technological innovations. It outlines the key stages of educational digitalization, particularly the transition from the fragmented implementation of information technologies to the creation of comprehensive digital ecosystems. The transformation of the educational paradigm is analyzed, including the changing roles of educators and learners, as well as the impact of digital technologies on the organization of the learning process. Special attention is given to strategic international initiatives such as the UN Roadmap for Digital Cooperation, the EU Digital Education Action Plan, and the «Digital Decade: 2030» program. The article highlights the core principles of these documents, including inclusiveness, ethics, accessibility, and the development of digital rights and competencies. Major trends, barriers, and prospects for the digital transformation of higher education are identified within both the Ukrainian and global contexts. A four-stage periodization of digitalization is proposed, which allows for tracing the evolution of managerial, pedagogical, and technological approaches to education modernization. The necessity of integrating emerging technologies – such as Big Data, artificial intelligence, blockchain, virtual and augmented reality – into the structure of educational institutions is substantiated to ensure flexible, personalized, and effective learning. It is concluded that digital transformation is not merely a technical process but a systemic socio-cultural phenomenon that requires a rethinking of the university’s mission in the digital age.