Development and Analysis of Indicators for Digital Readiness of Universities in the Russian Federation

The purpose of this study was to develop indicators of digital readiness for Russian universities for possible subsequent use in an objective assessment of the current level of digitalization in higher education, as well as planning and implementing effective measures to increase the level of digital development by public authorities and educational institutions of higher education. The theoretical and practical methods in the analysis of sources, as well as quantitative methods of data analysis, including frequency analysis, correlation analysis, and factor analysis, were used in the study. The facts presented in the study confirmed the hypothesis that the digitalization processes in the university are underfunded. The study also found that for achieving equal access of students to the digital educational tools, technologies, and services, it is required to uniquely identify the multidimensional concept of «digital readiness» and in conformity with it to develop standards and demands to the digital development of universities. The indicators of «digital readiness» in Russian universities developed within the framework of the thesis confirmed the hypothesis of the study that the «digital readiness» of Russian universities can be objectively assessed. The developed set of indicators has already been included in the guidelines for the development of digital development programs for a university of the Ministry of Education and Science of Russia. The study of the basic values of the developed indicators confirmed the existence of differentiation of the current level of digital development in Russian universities. The study also confirmed the hypothesis that universities follow different strategies for the digital development of an educational organization. At least 7 digitalization strategies in Russian universities were identified. Keywords: digital readiness, digital development, digitalization, universities, higher education.