Innovative Approaches to the Implementation of Inclusive Education in Higher Education Institutions of Ukraine
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.56294/mw2025444Keywords:
inclusive environment, Higher education , Innovation, institutional support, monitoring of inclusivenessAbstract
Introduction: in the contemporary scientific discourse, inclusion is recognized as a key component of quality education. This study aims to analyze modern scientific works on innovative approaches to implementing inclusive education in higher education institutions of Ukraine. It also seeks to identify key trends, current challenges, and prospects in this area.
Methods: based on the PRISMA approach, the study analyzed 52 items of scientific sources published between 2015 and 2025 that were thematically related to inclusive education and innovation. Thematic analysis was used to process the papers.
Results: the academic community is actively developing innovative views on implementing inclusive education in higher education institutions: the principles of universal design of learning, intercultural cooperation, STEAM-based education, digital inclusion and various innovative strategies. It is established that innovative approaches include universal learning design, integration of technological tools, formation of centres for inclusive education, training of teaching staff for inclusive teaching, personalization of educational trajectories, support for the inclusive infrastructure of higher education institutions, and the use of big data analytics. It is shown that notable challenges persist, such as insufficient teacher training, imperfect institutional and legal support, gaps in the material and technical base, and challenges of digitalization.
Conclusions: therefore, the innovative areas identified in the Ukrainian context show promise but require further development and systematization. It has been established that inclusive education in Ukrainian higher education institutions is an active development area that demands systematic approaches to overcome existing challenges.
References
1.Halachev P. Gamification as an e-learning tool: A Literature Review. EL Innov Journ [Internet]. 2024;2(2):4–20. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.57125/elij.2024.09.25.01
2. Cotán A, Aguirre A, Morgado B, Melero N. Methodological strategies of faculty members: moving toward inclusive pedagogy in higher education. Sustainability [Internet]. 2021 Mar 10 [cited 2025 Apr 9];13(6):3031. Available from: https://doi.org/10.3390/su130630310
3. Kotzmann J, Griffith E, Morss JR. Inclusive Sustainability [Internet]. Singapore: Springer Nature Singapore; 2022. The Right to Inclusive Education for Persons with Disabilities: A Comparative Analysis of State Progress; [cited 2025 Apr 30]; p. 81-105. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-19-0782-1_4
4. Metu IC, Agu NN, Eleje LI. Students’ Perceptions of and Preferences for assessment feedback in higher education: implication for evaluators. Futurity of Social Sciences [Internet]. 2024 May 19 [cited 2025 Apr 9]:21-37. Available from: https://doi.org/10.57125/fs.2024.06.20.02
5. Márquez C, Melero-Aguilar N. What are their thoughts about inclusion? Beliefs of faculty members about inclusive education. High Educ [Internet]. 2021 Mar 23 [cited 2025 Apr 23]. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10734-021-00706-7
6. Melnyk N, Bidyuk N, Kalenskyi A, Maksymchuk B, Bakhmat N, Matviienko O, Matviichuk T, Solovyov V, Golub N, Maksymchuk I. Models and organisational characteristics of preschool teachers’ professional training in some EU countries and Ukraine. Zb Instituta Za Pedagoska Istraz [Internet]. 2019 [cited 2025 Apr 9];51(1):46-93. Available from: https://doi.org/10.2298/zipi1901046m
7. Devterov I, Tokar L, Silvestrova O, Lozo O, Poperechna G. Philosophical dimensions of digital transformation and their impact on the future. Futurity Philosophy [Internet]. 2024 Sep 11 [cited 2025 Apr 9];3(4):4-19. Available from: https://doi.org/10.57125/fp.2024.12.30.01
8. Kravchenko O. Inclusive approach in higher education: from the experience of Pavlo Tychyna Uman state pedagogical university. Sustain Socio Econ Dev J [Internet]. 2023 Dec 17 [cited 2025 Apr 9];1(3-4):104-12. Available from: https://doi.org/10.31499/2786-7838.ssedj.2023.1(3-4).104-112
9. Page A, Davis A. The alignment of innovative learning environments and inclusive education: how effective is the new learning environment in meeting the needs of special education learners? Teach Work [Internet]. 2023 Dec 14 [cited 2025 Apr 9];20(2):316-33. Available from: https://doi.org/10.24135/teacherswork.v20i2.612
10. Оliinyk T, Mishchenko O, Iievliev O, Saveliev D, Hubina S. Inclusive education in Ukraine: conditions of implementation and challenges. Cad Educ Tecnol Soc [Internet]. 2023 Sep 19 [cited 2025 Apr 9];16(se2):50-62. Available from: https://doi.org/10.14571/brajets.v16.nse2.50-62
11. Labutkina T. Modern education in Ukraine: challenges, experience, prospects [Internet]. [place unknown]: Izdevnieciba “Baltija Publishing”; 2024. Modern higher technical education: learning strategies and their implementation; [cited 2025 Apr 9]; p. 68-85. Available from: https://doi.org/10.30525/978-9934-26-422-1-8
12. Lopatina H, Tsybuliak N, Popova A, Hurenko O, Suchikova Y. Inclusive education in higher education institution: Are Ukrainian faculty members’ ready for it? Res Educ [Internet]. 2023 Oct 19 [cited 2025 Apr 9]. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1177/00345237231207721
13. Udych Z, Shulha I. Modern education in Ukraine: challenges, experience, prospects [Internet]. [place unknown]: Izdevnieciba “Baltija Publishing”; 2024. A higher education institution as a leader in strategizing inclusive development of the territorial community; [cited 2025 Apr 9]; p. 105-14. Available from: https://doi.org/10.30525/978-9934-26-422-1-11
14. Marín-Díaz V. The relationships between augmented reality and inclusive education in higher education. Bordon Rev Pedagog [Internet]. 2017 Jun 29 [cited 2025 Apr 23];69(3):125. Available from: https://doi.org/10.13042/bordon.2017.51123
15. Bahno YM, Serhiichuk OM, Tanana SM, Tkachenko LV, Khmelnytska OS. Inclusive education as a condition for innovative activities at higher education institutions. J Intellect Disabil Diagn Treat [Internet]. 2021 Oct 20 [cited 2025 Apr 9];9(5):432-41. Available from: https://doi.org/10.6000/2292-2598.2021.09.05.2
16. Blinovska R, Kudria O, Yitong L, Chalii L, Verbivskyi D. Innovative approaches in higher education in Ukraine: trends and prospects. Eduweb [Internet]. 2024 Mar 30 [cited 2025 Apr 9];18(1):109-23. Available from: https://doi.org/10.46502/issn.1856-7576/2024.18.01.8
17. Dichek N. Origins of inclusive education of students in Ukraine. SHS Web Conf [Internet]. 2021 [cited 2025 Apr 9];104:01002. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1051/shsconf/202110401002
18. Diachenko M, Voroshchuk O, Romanova T, Shevtsova N, Tretiakova T. Inclusive education in Ukraine: achievements, challenges, prospects. Eduweb [Internet]. 2024 Dec 30 [cited 2025 Apr 9];18(4):35-48. Available from: https://doi.org/10.46502/issn.1856-7576/2024.18.04.3
20. Nikitchenko L, Davydova Z, Krylova V, Samborska O, Arkushyna H. Innovative approaches to learning and teaching in Ukrainian higher education. Cad Educ Tecnol Soc [Internet]. 2024 Mar 29 [cited 2025 Apr 9];17(1):495-505. Available from: https://doi.org/10.14571/brajets.v17.n1.495-505
21. Hoang Thi N, Nguyen Thi Ngoc N. Applying steam education in inclusive education: opportunities and challenges. J Sci Educ Sci [Internet]. 2022 Dec [cited 2025 Apr 9];67(5A):244-54. Available from: https://doi.org/10.18173/2354-1075.2022-0139
22. Srivastava A, Agarwal S, Ganapathy M. Editorial: inclusive higher education in cross-cultural settings. Int J Educ Manag [Internet]. 2022 Apr 21 [cited 2025 Apr 9];36(4):357-63. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1108/ijem-05-2022-589
23. McNaught A. Making inclusive higher education a reality [Internet]. London: Routledge; 2023. Digital accessibility in the UK context; [cited 2025 Apr 9]; p. 201-5. Available from: https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003253631-30
24. Negri I, Pistoresi B, Gamberini MC, Mecugni D. Tracing the path to inclusion: lecturers’ perspectives on innovative and inclusive teaching methods. Humanit Soc Sci Commun [Internet]. 2025 Apr 2 [cited 2025 Apr 9];12(1). Available from: https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-025-04547-y
25. Muhamad Zaki NH, Ismail Z. Towards inclusive education for special need students in higher education from the perspective of faculty members: a systematic literature review. Asian J Univ Educ [Internet]. 2021 Nov 25 [cited 2025 Apr 9];17(4):201. Available from: https://doi.org/10.24191/ajue.v17i4.16189
26. Bhuttah TM, Xusheng Q, Abid MN, Sharma S. Enhancing student critical thinking and learning outcomes through innovative pedagogical approaches in higher education: the mediating role of inclusive leadership. Sci Rep [Internet]. 2024 Oct 17 [cited 2025 Apr 9];14(1). Available from: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-75379-0
27. Moldovan L. The 15th international conference interdisciplinarity in engineering [Internet]. Cham: Springer International Publishing; 2022. An innovative project for higher education leadership in advancing inclusive innovation for development; [cited 2025 Apr 9]; p. 348-57. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-93817-8_33
28. Kovtoniuk MM, Kosovets OP, Soia OM, Pinaieva OY, Ovcharuk VG, Mukhsina K. Modeling the development process of inclusive education in Ukraine. Inform Autom Pomiary W Gospod I Ochr Srodowiska [Internet]. 2022 Dec 30 [cited 2025 Apr 9];12(4):67-73. Available from: https://doi.org/10.35784/iapgos.3272
29. Vakaliuk T, Novitska I, Verbovsky I, Rozhnova T, Kontsedailo V. Management of educational institutions with inclusive education based on innovative technologies. SHS Web Conf [Internet]. 2021 [cited 2025 Apr 9];104:03008. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1051/shsconf/202110403008
30. Olabisi Oluwakemi Adeleye, Chima Abimbola Eden, Idowu Sulaimon Adeniyi. Innovative teaching methodologies in the era of artificial intelligence: a review of inclusive educational practices. World J Adv Eng Technol Sci [Internet]. 2024 Mar 30 [cited 2025 Apr 9];11(2):069-79. Available from: https://doi.org/10.30574/wjaets.2024.11.2.0091
31. Cojocariu VM, Amălăncei BM, Mareș G, Cîrtiță-Buzoianu C, Mâță L. Higher education teachers’ attitudes towards inclusive education. Rev Romaneasca Pentru Educ Multidimens [Internet]. 2025 Mar 28 [cited 2025 Apr 9];17(1):33-53. Available from: https://doi.org/10.18662/rrem/17.1/940
32. Faura-Martínez Ú, Cifuentes-Faura J. Building a dynamic indicator on inclusive education in higher education. Eur J Spec Needs Educ [Internet]. 2021 May 24 [cited 2025 Apr 23]:1-8. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1080/08856257.2021.1929237
33. Dubkovetska I, Budnyk O, Sydoriv S. The space of inclusive education [Internet]. [place unknown]: BRILL; 2024. Backgrounds and prospects of implementation of inclusive education in ukraine; [cited 2025 Apr 9]; p. 158-67. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004688131_017
34. Potapiuk LM, Dendak AS. Development of inclusive education in Ukraine: problems and prospects for implementation. Pedagog Sci Theory Pract [Internet]. 2023 [cited 2025 Apr 9];(3):7-13. Available from: https://doi.org/10.26661/2786-5622-2023-3-01
35. Demus Y. Inclusive education in Ukraine: problems and prospects. Aesthet Ethics Pedagog Action [Internet]. 2021 Dec 26 [cited 2025 Apr 9];(24):203-12. Available from: https://doi.org/10.33989/2226-4051.2021.24.255927
36. Savchenko YV. Inclusive education in Ukraine: experience, problems, prospects. Innov Pedagog [Internet]. 2021 [cited 2025 Apr 9];(35):53-7. Available from: https://doi.org/10.32843/2663-6085/2021/35.10
37. Paustovska M, Lytovchenko S, Marieiev D, Bazyliak N, Malii A. Approaches to inclusive foreign language instruction in higher education. Salud Cienc Tecnol Ser Conf [Internet]. 2024 Sep 24 [cited 2025 Apr 9];3. Available from: https://doi.org/10.56294/sctconf2024.711
38. Sydoriv S, Sydoriv L. The space of inclusive education [Internet]. [place unknown]: BRILL; 2024. Inclusion in Ukraine; [cited 2025 Apr 9]; p. 282-305. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004688131_030
39. Rasskazova O, Anholenko V, Pecherytsia N, Hryhorenko V, Tsybulina I, Andreieva M, Yefimtseva H. An overview of the principles of an inclusive approach in education in Ukraine in the first decade of the 21st century as a neuroscientific factor. BRAIN Broad Res Artif Intell Neurosci [Internet]. 2023 Dec 19 [cited 2025 Apr 9];14(4):373-87. Available from: https://doi.org/10.18662/brain/14.4/511
40. Rahmi I, Damra HR, Desvianti E, Dalimunthe HL. Strategies for successful implementation of inclusive education in Indonesia: a review. Trend [Internet]. 2024 Jun 13 [cited 2025 Apr 9];1(3):30-6. Available from: https://doi.org/10.62260/intrend.v1i3.170
41. Bobro N. Application of artificial intelligence in higher education institutions: foreign experience. Three Econ J [Internet]. 2024 Apr 30 [cited 2025 Apr 23];5(1):19-23. Available from: https://doi.org/10.30525/2661-5150/2024-5-3
42. Helena Martins M, Borges ML, Gonçalves T. Attitudes towards inclusion in higher education in a Portuguese university. Int J Incl Educ [Internet]. 2017 Sep 29 [cited 2025 Apr 23];22(5):527-42 Available from: https://doi.org/10.1080/13603116.2017.1377299
43. Didenko AV. Transformation of the higher education system of Ukraine. In: Information technologies and management in higher education and sciences. part 1 [Internet]. [place unknown]: Baltija Publishing; 2022 [cited 2025 Apr 9]. Available from: https://doi.org/10.30525/978-9934-26-277-7-70
44. Pavlenko O, Nikolaeva S, Syzenko A, Diachkova Y. Universal design principles for emergency remote teaching: educators’ perspective in higher education. Rev Amazon Investig [Internet]. 2024 Oct 30 [cited 2025 Apr 9];13(82):164-76. Available from: https://doi.org/10.34069/ai/2024.82.10.13
45. Kuzmenko A, Chernova T, Kravchuk O, Kabysh M, Holubenko T. Innovative educational technologies: European experience and its implementation in the training of specialists in the context of war and global challenges of the 21st century. J Curric Teach [Internet]. 2023 Oct 15 [cited 2025 Apr 9];12(5):68. Available from: https://doi.org/10.5430/jct.v12n5p68
46. Ortiz Colón A, Agreda Montoro M, Colmenero Ruiz M. Toward inclusive higher education in a global context. Sustainability [Internet]. 2018 Jul 30 [cited 2025 Apr 9];10(8):2670. Available from: https://doi.org/10.3390/su10082670
47. Hurenko O, Bohdanov I, Tsybuliak N, Lopatina H, Suchikova Y, Popova A. Development of an inclusive educational environment in higher education institutions: A project approach using IDEF0. In: 2023 IEEE 18th international conference on computer science and information technologies (CSIT) [Internet]; 2023 Oct 19-21; Lviv, Ukraine. [place unknown]: IEEE; 2023 [cited 2025 Apr 9]. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1109/csit61576.2023.10324022
48. Orzhel O, Trofymenko M, Porkuian O, Drach I, Halhash R, Stoyka A. Displaced universities in Ukraine: challenges and optimal development models. Eur J Educ [Internet]. 2023 Oct 9 [cited 2025 Apr 9]. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1111/ejed.12581
49. Hordiichuk O, Nikolenko L, Shavel K, Zakharina M, Khomyk T. Analysis of models of inclusive education in European countries (experience for Ukraine). Eduweb [Internet]. 2022 Dec 30 [cited 2025 Apr 9];16(4):32-41. Available from: https://doi.org/10.46502/issn.1856-7576/2022.16.04.3
50. Udych Z, Shulha I. Modern education in Ukraine: challenges, experience, prospects [Internet]. [place unknown]: Izdevnieciba “Baltija Publishing”; 2024. A higher education institution as a leader in strategizing inclusive development of the territorial community; [cited 2025 Apr 9]; p. 105-14. Available from: https://doi.org/10.30525/978-9934-26-422-1-11
51. Korol A, Konovalchuk I, Kolosova O, Tarnavska N, Khilya A. Organization of distance learning in the Ukrainian practice of inclusive education. ENVIRON TECHNOL RESOUR Proc Int Sci Pract Conf [Internet]. 2023 Jun 13 [cited 2025 Apr 9];2:156-61. Available from: https://doi.org/10.17770/etr2023vol2.7243
52. Halder V. Higher education: opportunities and difficulties for inclusive education. Bharati Int J Multidiscip Res Dev [Internet]. 2023 Dec 10 [cited 2025 Apr 9];1(1):24-9. Available from: https://doi.org/10.70798/bijmrd/01010005
53. Zhaksylykovna PP, Abdrazahovna ZS, Oralbaykyzy NZ, Baidullayevich SA, Zhiyentayevna ZB, Zhazira K. Dual education conditions for pedagogical bases of specialists inclusive training. Cypriot J Educ Sci [Internet]. 2022 Mar 31 [cited 2025 Jun 19];17(3):765-71. Available from: https://doi.org/10.18844/cjes.v17i3.6937
54. Dobrovolska OV. Management of innovative development of agriculture in the digital era. In: Gemeinschaften in Neuen Medien [Internet]. [place unknown]: TUDpress - Verlag der Wissenschaften, Dresden; 2023 [cited 2025 Jun 19]. p. 110-25. Available from: https://doi.org/10.25368/2024.279
55. Kudria O, Skovronskyi B, Marushchak O, Honcharova N, Sipii V. The role of innovative techniques in development of stem-education in Ukraine. Academia [Internet]. 2024;(35–36):132-55. Available from: https://doi.org/10.26220/aca.5006.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Iryna Dmytriieva, Tamila Dovhaliuk, Anna Sobchuk, Olena Shevchenko , Olena Biliuk (Author)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
The article is distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License. Unless otherwise stated, associated published material is distributed under the same licence.
