PLACE AND ROLE OF HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM IN MODERN SOCIETY

Any societal transformations – economic, social, moral and intellectual – do not happen without the participation of the higher education system. That is why its value is characterized by the requirements of every stage of society development. The modern stage of the world civilization development is defined as the transition from an industrial society to an information society, the appearance of which is associated with the information revolution, the development of information technology. So, the education plays the crucial role in reproduction of the entire diversity of the social phenomena and processes. It encompasses all the spheres of public life, as well as determines the prospects and main directions of social development. It is no wonder that the education issues are displayed on the level of public interests.The analysis of the last researches and publications devoted to this problem was made in the article. The modern stage of the Ukrainian society development was described and the place of the higher education system, which is the subject of a market economy and a social institution, was defined. It is proved that the higher education system is an integral component of the society development and plays a major role in social progress. It serves as a universal means of solving many personal and social problems, namely it affects the resumption of the scientific potential of the society, takes part in public reproduction, encourages economic and social development of the society, takes part in the individual socialization and promotes social mobility