ACADEMIC COOPERATION AND MOBILITY: IN THE CONTEXT OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

In the article, through the prism of the analysis of the founding documents, policies and practices of the EU for the development of higher education, formulates and argues the author's position regarding the strategic perspectives and prerequisites for internalization of higher education against the background of the COVID-19 pandemic. Some major challenges have been formulated that hinder the natural connections between universities around the world. Some expected long-term benefits from the development of full internalization in the conditions of digitalization of higher education are substantiated on the example of the activity of Sofia University and the conducted research. In conclusion, the author argues that the mission of universities to stay connected is a priority, even in the pandemic situation.