Business news from Ukraine

Business news from Ukraine

Top 5 most popular online schools in Ukraine: which option is best for your child’s education

We compare the quality of education, teaching methods, platform, and child support to help parents make an

The Experts Club analytical center conducted a study and compared the five leading online schools in Ukraine according to the most important criteria — from the quality of education to the level of socialization — to highlight their strengths and differences.

Choosing a school is always about a child’s future. And more and more often, parents are choosing laptops and their own pace of learning over desks and bells. Online education in Ukraine is no longer a necessary step — it is now a conscious choice to learn in a new way: with interactive platforms, mentor support, and live meetings, even if children are studying from different cities or countries.

To help you navigate, we have analyzed the five most popular online schools in Ukraine according to key criteria:

  • convenience and functionality of the learning platform
  • quality of education: lesson structure and teaching methods
  • profiling and university admission opportunities
  • support from teachers and mentors
  • psychological comfort and socialization

Average score:

  • Atmospheric School — 4.6
  • Unicorn School — 3.4
  • Optima — 3.2
  • Alternative — 2.8
  • ThinkGlobal — 2

Detailed criteria

Platform and UX

  • Atmospheric School — a proprietary next-generation platform with round-the-clock access to lessons and materials, an integrated calendar, chats with mentors and the class, interest clubs, a career guidance module, and a “Child’s Passport.” Additionally: performance analytics, speaking club, automatic reminders, widgets, and gamification of learning.
  • Optima is a standard online platform with demo access and integrated courses. It performs basic learning functions but with limited functionality, and third-party services are not integrated into the platform, which causes inconvenience for users.
  • Unicorn School is a proprietary online platform designed for students who want to deepen their knowledge of science and technology. Virtual laboratories allow you to conduct experiments, simulate processes, and test ideas in a safe online environment.
  • ThinkGlobal is a standard online platform that is adaptable to different devices and convenient for flexible learning schedules, but with a minimal set of features.
  • Alternative is a standard online platform with basic tools, but social and interactive features are implemented through third-party services.

Quality of learning: lesson structure and methodology

  • Atmospheric School — lessons consist of five complementary elements: video, text summary, lesson test, interactive tasks, and additional resources. Case-based learning is used. Different types of information perception are taken into account.
  • Optima — classic methods with interactive inserts, sometimes case studies. Materials are presented in a standardized format. Uses an old-style online platform with demo access and integrated courses. The platform performs basic learning functions but with limited functionality: third-party services are not integrated, which requires switching between tools and creates certain inconveniences for users.
  • Unicorn School — project-based lessons with a technical focus, most tasks are performed in groups.
  • ThinkGlobal — the lesson format and quality of presentation depend on the teacher. There are both interactive and traditional classes, which creates a diverse experience for students.
  • Alternative — adaptive presentation that adjusts to the student’s psychological state and learning pace. There is no single methodology — the approach depends on the situation and goals.

Profiling and university selection

  • Atmospheric School — an integrated career guidance system, assistance in choosing a career path, including university selection, and a built-in step-by-step tracker for admission to Ukrainian and international universities. Opportunity to obtain a double Cambridge A-Level diploma (Ukrainian + international).
  • Optima — opportunity to obtain a double diploma (Ukrainian + international), Cambridge IGCSE courses, tutoring support, basic career guidance, no university selection.
  • Unicorn School — STEM and business profiles, limited choice of humanities, no university selection.
  • ThinkGlobal — individual programs without international diplomas, no career guidance or university selection.
  • Alternative — individual approach, but without a standardized system or international opportunities, no career guidance or university selection.

Mentoring support

  • Atmospheric School — each student has a personal mentor for the entire academic year. Regular communication with parents, assistance in building an individual learning path, progress monitoring, coordination with teachers. According to parents’ reviews, this is the best mentoring support among online schools.
  • Optima — administrative support for students, answers to organizational questions, monitoring of task completion within specified deadlines. Individual mentoring and personal support are not included in the standard package and are available only for an additional fee. Mentors are not involved in building individual learning paths or working continuously to motivate students.
  • Unicorn School — mentoring takes place mainly within STEM and business projects, but the school also provides the support of a personal tutor who monitors progress. Individual support outside of projects is limited.
  • ThinkGlobal — support with an emphasis on creative aspects. Mentors and facilitators help students develop their own projects, conduct sessions, and group discussions. The structured mentoring system is less pronounced.
  • Alternative — mentoring support is not standardized and depends on the specific teacher. The format and depth of support vary across groups. Feedback is provided irregularly, and the main focus is on creative or extracurricular activities, which does not always meet the needs of academic mentoring.

Psychological comfort and socialization

  • Atmospheric school — a developed socialization system: interest clubs, group and interclass projects, school self-government. Regular offline and online meetings with opinion leaders and training sessions on personal skills development. Psychological support from mentors and school psychologists.
  • Optima — socialization is limited mainly to lessons and class chats. Extracurricular activities and interest clubs are either non-existent or rare, and offline formats are available at an additional cost.
  • Unicorn School — socialization takes place mainly through STEM teams, participation in competitions, hackathons, and themed challenges. Offline events and activities outside of technical areas are less frequent, which may limit the involvement of students with interests in the humanities.
  • ThinkGlobal — workshops and discussions with facilitators are held, but online and offline events are rare and mostly local, with socialization work conducted at a basic level.
  • Alternative — activities depend on teachers, and the quality of socialization varies.

Conclusion

Online education in Ukraine is developing rapidly, offering parents and children formats ranging from classic programs to innovative models with international diplomas.

Atmospheric School maintains its leadership thanks to its modern platform, flexible methodologies, well-thought-out profiling, and strong mentoring support.

Each school has its own strengths: some offer STEM programs, others offer international certifications or creative communities. Our ranking will help you choose a school where learning will be both effective and comfortable.

https://expertsclub.eu/yak-obraty-onlajn-shkolu-dlya-dytyny-rejtyng-5-najpopulyarnishyh-variantiv/

 

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Global dynamics of pig farming: challenges, crises, and transformations in the 1990s and 2020s

Over the past three decades, pig farming has remained one of the most important components of global agricultural production. It has played a key role in providing the population with animal protein, shaping export flows in Asia and Europe, while remaining vulnerable to global epidemiological risks. Experts Club analysts have studied changes in the global pig population between 1990 and 2023.

“Pig farming is an industry where economics is closely intertwined with biological risks. It is extremely profitable in stable conditions, but it instantly suffers from any disruptions in the veterinary or logistics chain,” said Maxim Urakin, PhD in Economics and founder of the Experts Club information and analytical center.

In the early 1990s, the total number of pigs in the world grew steadily, especially in China, which became the largest producer and consumer of pork. Mass industrial production, urbanization, and high demand for meat in the Asia-Pacific region stimulated capacity expansion. By the mid-2010s, the industry was at its peak: in some years, the number of pigs in the world exceeded one billion. This dynamic reflected the successful commercialization of the industry in China, Vietnam, Brazil, the United States, Germany, and Spain.

However, after 2018, the global pig industry faced one of the most significant challenges in recent decades — the African swine fever (ASF) pandemic. The epizootic, which began in China, spread to dozens of countries and led to a massive reduction in livestock numbers. In China alone, it is estimated that more than 100 million pigs were destroyed. This caused a meat shortage in the global market, price increases, a crisis in feed chains, and a reorientation of international trade.

“After the ASF outbreak, China began to actively reform the structure of pig farming, moving from small farms to large biosecure complexes. This also affected the global market, as demand for safe and controlled meat rose sharply,” Urakin explained.

Europe, in turn, found itself under pressure from environmental legislation and growing animal welfare requirements. In the Netherlands, Denmark, and Germany, the industry declined not only due to disease but also due to political decisions to reduce methane and nitrate emissions. In North America, the situation remained stable, although it was affected by tariff wars, especially in US-China relations.

Today, the global pig industry has partially recovered but remains in a phase of restructuring. China is gradually restoring its livestock population, but on new principles — with strict control of biosecurity, genetics, and investment in innovation. At the same time, more and more countries are investing in alternative proteins — cultured meat and plant-based pork substitutes — which poses long-term risks to the traditional industry.

“The future of pig farming is a symbiosis of biotechnology, sustainable management, and veterinary reliability. Those who cannot adapt will lose the market,” concluded Maxim Urakin.

A detailed analysis of the situation on the pork market and a visualization of global trends can be found in a special video review on the Experts Club YouTube channel.

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Karol Nawrocki becomes president of Poland

Karol Nawrocki, candidate from the Law and Justice party, has won the second round of the presidential election in Poland, according to Gazeta Wyborcza.

According to the Polish National Electoral Commission, after 100% of the votes were counted, he received 50.89%.

It is noted that his opponent, Warsaw Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski, received 49.1% of the vote.

A week before the election, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk called presidential candidate Nawrocki’s statement that Poland would never support Ukraine’s accession to NATO treason.

Earlier, the Experts Club think tank released a video analysis dedicated to the most important elections in the world in 2025. For more details, see here — https://youtu.be/u1NMbFCCRx0?si=6L76qeuNamxg6py1

https://interfax.com.ua/

 

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Second round of presidential elections is taking place in Romania

Voting in the presidential election began in Romania at 7:00 a.m. on Sunday. The second round features George Simion, representative of the right-wing Alliance for the Unity of Romanians, and Nicușor Dăncilă, the incumbent mayor of the capital Bucharest, who received the most votes in the first round on May 4.
“We voted so that only Romanians decide our future, for Romanians and for Romania,“ Simion told reporters outside a polling station.
“We decide what kind of country we want to be: a country of hope, dialogue, and development,” Dănălescu wrote on Facebook.
According to Reuters, despite the fact that 38-year-old Simion won 41% of the vote in the first round and 55-year-old Dan only 21%, opinion polls show that they have almost equal chances of winning, or show a slight advantage for Simion. Earlier, the Experts Club think tank released a video analysis dedicated to the most important elections in the world in 2025. For more details, see here —

 

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Experts analyze elections in key countries to be held in 2025

The world is entering a phase of political change in 2025. Important elections will take place in different countries, the results of which can significantly affect both geopolitics and internal processes of states. In a new YouTube video, Maksym Urakin, founder of the Experts Club think tank, and Oleksandr Poznyi, co-founder of the Active Group research company, analyze the main political events of the year and the possible consequences for Ukraine.

After the scandalous cancellation of the presidential election results, a second vote is scheduled for December 2024 in Romania. The election brought unexpected results, and the winner of the first round campaigned exclusively on TikTok. This sparked discussions around the world, as it was the first time a social network played a key role in the political process. However, the country’s Constitutional Court canceled the election results due to the detected Russian influence, and a new vote is scheduled for May 2025.

“The situation in Romania is unprecedented, as the Constitutional Court has annulled the first round of elections. This may cause political turbulence, which will affect the country’s foreign policy,” said Maksym Urakin, founder of the Experts Club information and analytical center.

In his turn, Oleksandr Poznyi emphasized that this case proves that influence technologies are changing, and social networks such as TikTok can become a key tool for voter mobilization.

“This is a dangerous signal for Ukraine as well, because we see that political forces are beginning to use this platform as a way to manipulate public opinion,” added Pozniy.

On February 23, early elections to the Bundestag will be held after the coalition collapse in 2024. The main struggle will be between the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD), but the right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, which has anti-immigration and pro-Russian rhetoric, may also play an important role.

“The struggle between the CDU and the SPD will be intense. If the AfD gets second or even first place, it could change Germany’s policy towards Ukraine. So far, the mainstream parties are not ready to form a coalition with them, but their influence is growing,” Maksym Urakin believes.

The parliamentary elections in Moldova will also determine the country’s foreign policy course.

“Moldova is facing a choice between the European path and the pro-Russian vector. This choice will have a significant impact on regional policy. The elections will decide whether the country will continue its European course under the leadership of President Maia Sandu or whether the Socialists, represented by Igor Dodon, will be able to regain power,” said Poznyi.

He also emphasized that Moldova is a parliamentary republic, and even if Sandu wins the presidential election, it does not guarantee that her political force will retain a majority.

On May 18, Poles will elect a new president, as Andrzej Duda cannot run for a third time. Experts believe that this is one of the most important elections for Ukraine, as Polish support is strategic. The tense confrontation between Law and Justice and the opposition will determine the future of Polish-Ukrainian relations. The Ukrainian issue will play an important role, but voters are more focused on domestic issues, such as the situation with Polish farmers who are unhappy with Ukrainian grain imports.

“Candidates will have to maneuver between supporting Ukraine and protecting national interests,” says Mr. Poznyi.

Serbia is one of the few countries in Europe that continues to balance between the EU and Russia. President Aleksandar Vucic has twice hinted at the possibility of early elections in 2025, especially amid protests and the escalating situation in Kosovo.

In October, elections will also be held in Canada and Argentina, which could change the foreign policy courses of these countries. On September 8, Norway will vote, and on November 16, Chile will vote.

“The elections in Canada are important for Ukraine, as further assistance will depend on them. It is also worth following the processes in Norway, which supports European security,” summarizes Maksym Urakin.

The year 2025 promises to be full of important political events that could change the international agenda. Ukraine must take into account the possible consequences of elections in strategic countries and prepare for new challenges on the global stage.

For more details about the elections to be held this year, please watch the video:

Subscribe to the Experts Club channel here:

https://www.youtube.com/@ExpertsClub

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Results of the joint research of Active Group and Experts Club on the attitude of Ukrainians to the countries of East Asia and the Middle East

In the Southeast Asian region, Ukrainians have the most positive attitude toward Japan and South Korea. This is evidenced by the results of a joint study by the Experts Club think tank and the Active Group research company, presented at a press conference at Interfax-Ukraine on Thursday.

“Our research has shown that in East Asia, Ukrainians are most supportive of Japan and South Korea. Attitudes toward these countries largely depend on their support for Ukraine after the war began. In the Caucasus region, a positive attitude toward Georgia remains. Also, more than 50% of Ukrainians have a positive attitude towards Kazakhstan. The lowest level of support was recorded for such countries as the DPRK, Syria, and Iraq,” said Oleksandr Poznyi, director of the Active Group research company.

According to the expert, the negative attitude of Ukrainians toward China is also quite eloquent.

“Only 4% of citizens have a positive attitude toward China, 16.7% have a mostly positive attitude, 58.8% have a negative attitude, and 20% have not decided. Currently, China’s position is not entirely unambiguous in relation to Ukraine, which is reflected in the attitude of Ukrainians,” Mr. Poznyi emphasized.

In his turn, Maksym Urakin, founder of the Experts Club think tank and deputy director of the Interfax-Ukraine news agency, presented an analysis of Ukraine’s foreign trade with a number of Asian countries based on data from the State Customs Service for 2023.

“The largest market for Ukrainian goods in Asia is China – more than $2 billion. India ranks second, followed by Kazakhstan, Georgia, Iraq, and Indonesia. As for imports, China is also the largest importer to Ukraine, with more than $10 billion. It is followed by India, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam. In terms of total trade between Ukraine and these countries, China is also the leader, with almost $13 billion. India ranks second – 2.5 billion, followed by Japan – almost a billion,” said Urakin.

According to him, the analysis of economic data shows that Ukraine has significant trade ties with the countries of the Middle East and East Asia. At the same time, China remains one of our country’s largest trading partners in terms of both exports and imports.
“The problem of trade deficit remains, as Ukraine spends a lot of money on imports, while earning little on exports. This is a real problem. In 2023, Ukraine’s trade deficit with all countries is over $27 billion. The deficit with China is $8 billion. Among the countries represented today, we have a positive balance only with Iraq – almost $200 million in favor of Ukraine, Georgia – $100 million, and Armenia – $54 million,” Urakin added.

Chairman of the Ukrainian-Arab Business Council, member of the Council of National Communities of Ukraine Dr. Emad Abu Alrub emphasized that the importance of Ukraine’s relations with the countries of Asia and the Arab world cannot be overestimated, and Ukraine is currently taking important steps to develop these relations.

“Ukraine has significant opportunities in the markets of Arab countries, which have a total population of over 550 million. Arab countries are a permanent market for our goods. After 2014, new markets opened up for our country, especially in Asia. The Ukrainian Arab Business Council is actively working to develop these relations. We need to create a strategic plan to improve relations at the level of economy, politics, and culture. We have significant chances for success, but we need better communication and marketing,” emphasized Dr. Abu Alrub.

He also added that Saudi Arabia is interested in cooperating with Ukraine by investing not only in trade, but also in agriculture, technology, and other projects. Other interesting countries are the UAE, Qatar, and Egypt. All of them also have great potential for investment in Ukraine.

In conclusion, Maksym Urakin called on foreign embassies to be more active in establishing communication with Ukrainian society.

“If you can, please provide information to journalists about what you are doing here, how you are helping in the humanitarian sphere. Through these ties, we will deepen our cooperation, because the way Ukrainian citizens view your countries also depends on your work,” he concluded.

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