Reformation of higher education in the EaP countries: cultural dimensions under the shadow

Abstract

In the article, the complexity and interconnection of the cultural characteristics that impact higher education institutions in the Eastern Partnership countries are presented. The six countries, united in 2009 by Brussels in one block, have a simi- lar policy of the reformation of their higher education systems which has a distinct European vector. The paper is designed to study the higher education reforms and higher through the prism of cultural dimensions portrayed at national and institu- tional levels. To perform this task Geert Hofstede’s cultural value dimensions and World Value Survey database (2010-2014) were employed as well as findings of the individual researchers. In short, this paper aims to discuss the culture implica- tion in academic environment and changes occurring within the higher education institutions of the six countries of Eastern partnership and to explain them by use of G. Hofstede’s cultural dimensions. Considering higher education institutions per- formance with the help of cross-cultural analysis can facilitate analysis of the edu- cation practices, teaching and learning methods, readiness to institutional change and external challenges, policies and practices undertaken by academic systems to cope with the external and internal academic environment and modes of the im- plementing the reformation strategies in the selected countries.