PhD defence Daryna Melnyk

Keywords: Innovative universities, Higher education reform, University transformation

"Success Factors of Innovative Universities"

Dara Melnyk researched why some universities are more successful in improving higher education systems than others. Her study identified several key factors, including:

• A positive attitude towards innovation.
• Driven and diverse leaders who champion and head change.
• Autonomy: the freedom to experiment and implement new ideas.
• Specialised departments, dedicated to testing and scaling innovative approaches.
• A clear intent to share institutional practices.

These findings are based on in-depth case studies of three pioneering universities: Maastricht University (Netherlands), Asian University for Women (Bangladesh), and African Leadership University (Rwanda and Mauritius).

Dara's research culminates in a model of a successful innovative university. The results provide a foundation for practical guidance on how to support and govern institutions aiming to tackle systemic challenges, such as accessibility, quality, or societal relevance.

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