At its meeting on September 25, 2025, the Union of Rectors of Higher Education Institutions of Ukraine summed up the results of the admission campaign and discussed ways to improve the rules for admission to universities in 2026.
The meeting was attended by representatives of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, the Ministry of Education and Science, relevant committees, rectors of leading universities from all regions of the country, as well as heads of frontline educational institutions.
The head of the Rectors’ Union, Petro Kulikov, opened the meeting and emphasized the key role of higher education in ensuring national stability during the war:
“Ukrainian universities not only continue education and science, but also form the personnel base for the post-war restoration of the state. Today, the Union of Rectors is a communication platform between universities, parliament, and the government.”
Deputy Minister of Education and Science Mykola Trofimenko stressed the importance of institutional strengthening of the Union:
“Today, the Union acts as a key partner of the state in shaping educational policy. We must consider the possibility of transforming it into the Association of Universities of Ukraine, which will allow us to represent the interests of higher education even more effectively.”
Deputy Chairman of the Union, Rector of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv Volodymyr Bugrov stressed the need to update the regulatory framework:
“The 2025 admission campaign was generally successful, but we see a need to improve admission rules and update legislation.”
Rector of Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic National University Viktor Hreshta highlighted the challenges faced by frontline universities and the need for state support for such institutions.
Rector of Kyiv National University of Construction and Architecture Oleksii Dniprov emphasized the importance of increasing the transparency of admission procedures.
Viktoria Petrushenko, Rector of Vinnitsa National Medical University named after Pirogov, highlighted the risks of lowering passing scores in medical specialties.
Vadym Tkachuk, Rector of the National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine, drew attention to the problems of indicative cost.
Maksym Tymoshenko, Rector of the Tchaikovsky National Music Academy, called for ensuring the key role of creative competitions in art universities.
The meeting was also attended by members of parliament, representatives of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Education, Science, and Innovation, deputy ministers, heads of departments of the Ministry of Education and Science, in particular, Oleg Sharov, Director General of the Directorate of Higher Education and Adult Education, who answered questions from participants.
The approved document (decision of the Union of Rectors) states:
The Union of Rectors of Higher Education Institutions of Ukraine is an all-Ukrainian public organization that brings together university leaders to coordinate educational, scientific, and international activities.
Founded in 1992, the organization acts as an advisory partner to the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine and participates in the development of state educational policy and regulations in the field of higher education.
Source: https://interfax.com.ua/news/projects/1110091.html
Hreshta, KULIKOV, Trofimenko, TYMOSHENKO, Union of Rectors, UNIVERSITY, Бугров, Дніпров, Петрушенко, Ткачук, Шаров
Kyiv National University of Construction and Architecture (KNUCA) will prepare bachelors under a reduced three-year program.
“We are ready to solve a problem of the shortage of specialists for restoration and construction of certain facilities. Now we are developing reduced programs, analyzing how to optimize them. After the victory, our defenders will be able to take these courses and get involved in restoration of the country as soon as possible,” professor, rector of Kyiv National University of Construction and Architecture Petro Kulikov said during a press conference at Interfax-Ukraine on Thursday.
According to him, the task is to “squeeze” the four-year bachelor’s program to three years.
The KNUCA rector noted that a smaller number of applicants is expected this year. “We are losing foreign students, as interest in the country at war, of course, is falling. Colleagues in European countries have provided preferences for our applicants, and a significant number of those who have gone abroad are considering this possibility. Despite this, we hope that we will have a full-fledged enrollment,” Kulikov said.
At the same time, he noted that international cooperation between universities is expanding. “I am grateful to our colleagues from Germany, Poland, and the Czech Republic. There are no political moments in the scientific and educational environment, there is, above all, a creative interest. In the coming days, we are signing an agreement with a French higher education institution, in June – an agreement between an association of Polish and Ukrainian universities. We are talking about the exchange of students and other forms of cooperation,” Kulikov said.
ARCHITECTURE, BACHELORS, CONSTRUCTION, KNUCA, KULIKOV, KYIV, THREE-YEAR PROGRAM, UNIVERSITY
On December 9, Kyiv-based Pochayna Event Hall hosted the annual International charitable event – the Parade of Nations 2021. It is aimed at helping children with psychophysical and mental disabilities.
The charitable event included a concert program. It involved 41 countries with artistic performances: Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Argentina, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Brazil, the UK, Armenia, Greece, Georgia, Denmark, Estonia, Egypt, Israel, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Spain, Italy, Kazakhstan, Canada, Qatar, Cyprus, China, Kirgizstan, Korea, Kuwait, Latvia, Lithuania, Malaysia, Mexico, the Netherlands, Germany, the UAE, Poland, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Slovakia.
Each country represented its state flag, national clothes and creative performance.
Charity gradually becomes one of the key trends of our times: the more people join it, the better the world becomes for everyone.
International European University supports this trend and promotes friendship between our nations for peace and prosperity.
This year, International European University was represented by:
Alla Navolokina, the First vice-rector of International European University, delivered a welcome speech on the stage of the Parade of Nations:
“Ladies and Gentlemen! I am glad to address you on behalf of International European University. Our team is like a family, a part of which is on this stage. We are young, creative and European-centered. Our educational programs are based on European standards. We realize that we are training ambassadors of Ukraine. Our university teaches students from 92 countries in 7 faculties. Therefore, we encourage the humanity and charity among them,” Ms. Alla said.
Franz Volodymyr von Habsburg-Lothringen, the President of International European University, expressed his gratitude to the organizers and provided winners of the charitable lottery with gifts.
“There is nothing like realizing that we save somebody’s life and encourage others to do the same. Together we are a great uniting power that draws society’s attention to crucial issues and helps find their solution,” Mr. Franz Volodymyr stated.
The Parade of Nations 2021 engaged the following countries: Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Argentina, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Brazil, the UK, Armenia, Greece, Georgia, Denmark, Estonia, Egypt, Israel, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Spain, Italy, Kazakhstan, Canada, Qatar, Cyprus, China, Kirgizstan, Korea, Kuwait, Latvia, Lithuania, Malaysia, Mexico, the Netherlands, Germany, the UAE, Poland, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Slovakia.
The event was moderated by Mykyta Dobrynin and Dariia Kvitkova.
Organizer: Fashion of Diplomacy
The event was supported by:
• the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine;
• the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine;
• The International feminist movement for family values.
ALLA NAVOLOKINA, EVENT, FRANZ_VOLODYMYR_VON_HABSBURG_LOTHRINGEN, IEU, INTERNATIONAL_EUROPEAN_UNIVERSITY, KULIKOV, PARADE_OF_NATIONS_2021, ZHYTAR
