In other words, a «softer» clustering of HEIs is proposed, compared to the current version of the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine No. 1146. In the current version, the «blackand-white» variant is declared. The three HEIs will have an exclusive advantage over other HEIs.

Of course, it is necessary to stimulate the management of HEI to increase their level of scale. One of the methods of such a movement is to unite related in the aspect of specialties HEI. This is especially effective for HEIs, which train specialists in technical specialties, the training of which requires a powerful modern laboratory base. In the joint HEIs, which will recruit at least 50–75 applicants for the bachelor’s degree in such specialties, there are more opportunities to ensure the renewal of logistics. In contrast to the situation when each HEI is not able to recruit even 10 people according to the formula: budget+contract (see section 3 of this monograph Table 3.9).

However, as the practice of application of the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine 1146 in 2020 has shown, the academic community has a real opposition to harsh approaches such as «black and white». This is especially noticeable when the transition from abstract conversations to specific actions that affect personal interests. Therefore, in the author’s opinion, softer «clustering» based on public opinion will be more effective.

The indicator of the level of scientific activity of a higher education institution Sc_i is really important, given the need to stimulate scientific work by scientific and pedagogical workers, as it is impossible to imagine how a teacher who is not engaged in scientific work can instill in students a taste for research and teach students. synthesize new knowledge.

According to the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine No. 1146 for higher education institutions that have no income to the special fund based on the results of scientific and scientific-technical activities on international cooperation projects and economic agreements (as of December 1 of the previous calendar year on average for the last three years), the value is 1.0. According to the current version of the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine No. 1146, in fact 30 HEIs did not have a single hryvnia of the special fund based on the results of scientific and scientific-technical activities on international cooperation projects and economic agreements for the last three years.