KNOWLEDGE HUBS IN TIMES OF CRISIS: THE ECONOMIC AND STRATEGIC ROLE OF UNIVERSITIES IN INTERNATIONAL RESILIENCE NETWORKS

Abstract

This article explores the role of universities in frontline regions as strategic knowledge hubs contributing to international resilience networks amid wartime conditions. Using the case of the National Aerospace University “Kharkiv Aviation Institute” (KhAI), the study analyzes the modernization of educational content and internal quality assurance systems as tools of institutional resilience and economic sustainability. The authors present an integrated model that combines ESG standards, national accreditation requirements, and internal digital innovations to support educational continuity under crisis. The paper highlights the significance of hybrid learning, the creation of safe academic environments, stakeholder involvement, and academic integrity in transforming universities into centers of regional stability and global integration. The findings suggest that KhAI’s model can serve as a blueprint for higher education institutions operating in crisis-affected areas, supporting national human capital recovery and international cooperation in the field of education.  The scientific novelty of the study lies in introducing the concept of an "educational-regional trajectory" as an innovative approach to preserving knowledge hubs in frontline regions, as well as in developing the model of "safe education", which combines the use of shelters as learning spaces with hybrid formats and digital quality monitoring systems. This makes it possible to consider the KhAI experience not only as a local case, but as a universal model for modernizing higher education under wartime challenges. The practical significance of the study is defined by the applicability of its results to the activities of higher education institutions in Ukraine and includes the following aspects:  the proposed practices can be adapted and implemented to ensure the continuity of education under threat;  the results may serve as a basis for developing regional education development programs aimed at enhancing the resilience of educational environments and preserving human capital; the outlined approaches to modernizing educational content and internal quality assurance can form the foundation for further research on educational innovation, risk management, and educational recovery strategies;  the outcomes of this study serve as a strong argument in favor of supporting Ukrainian universities, which continue to demonstrate resilience and innovation despite the war.