A EUROPEAN DIMENSION OF HIGHER PEDAGOGICAL EDUCATION IN UKRAINE AND ITS MODERNIZATION

The article tackles methodology of higher pedagogical education in Ukraine and its modernization within the European educational space. Attention is drawn to qualitative changes brought forth by a variety of external and internal factors underlying current social and economic reforms and a transition to a democratic society, the main preconditions for accelerating the process of Ukraineʼs economic and political integration into the EU. By integrating into the European educational space and developing partnerships with other countries Ukraine has confirmed its commitment to fundamental global values, an inherent part of a civil and democratic society, as well as its readiness to fully implement European standards in education, science and technology. The major directions of international cooperation of higher educational institutions are determined as follows: participation in bilateral and multilateral international exchange programs for students, graduate students, teaching and senior academic staff; joint research; organization of international conferences, symposia, congresses and other events; participation in international educational and research programs; shared joint publishing; higher and postgraduate education; educational services for foreign citizens in Ukraine, arrangement of teaching and research trips abroad in accordance with international agreements of Ukraine as well as direct contracts between higher educational institutions and their foreign partners. The aim of higher educational institutions engaged in international cooperation is to conclude cooperation agreements, establish direct contacts with universities, research institutions and enterprises of foreign countries, international organizations, funds, etc. One of the most important strategic objectives at this stage of Ukraineʼs higher education modernization is to ensure the quality of training in compliance with international standards. The government has clearly defined principles for joining the European educational space and consistently supports modernization of educational activities in accordance with European requirements. This will ensure that educational needs of individual students are satisfied; provide regulatory and methodological support of academic mobility of students and teachers within the national and European educational space; create preconditions for mutual acknowledgement of diplomas according to ECTS principles. It has been concluded that the European dimension of education calls for a new role of the educational institution and the teacher in society