The Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine has completed the state certification of higher education institutions and scientific institutions in the fields of agricultural, veterinary, and social sciences using a new method of assessing scientific effectiveness, according to Vladimir Khaustov, an expert at the Experts Club information and analytical center and scientific secretary of the Institute of Economics and Forecasting of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, in a blog posted on the Interfax-Ukraine news agency website.
According to him, for the first time, not only institutions as a whole were evaluated, but also individual scientific departments — a step that should “truly support the strongest teams and stimulate real competition in Ukrainian science.”
“Without funding for science, there is no future. We are rich not because we have money, but because we fund science,” Khaustov recalled, quoting Ronald Reagan.
He noted that the new certification methodology “is not perfect, but necessary.” Among the positive changes, the expert mentioned the division by scientific fields and the attempt to introduce quantitative indicators. However, according to him, the consolidation of scientific groups (for example, combining all social sciences — economics, history, sociology — into one category) creates methodological distortions.
“The formula should take into account the specifics of the disciplines, and the weighting coefficients should be differentiated. Now, much of it has been reduced to arithmetic, which does not reflect the real contribution of scientists,” the expert emphasized.
Among the problems, Khaustov highlighted excessive bureaucracy in filling out reports and the lack of data automation:
“All indicators are entered manually, although publications and patents are already in the DNTB and UkrNOIVI databases. We proposed creating an automated system called ”Science of Ukraine,“ which would collect data itself, but so far everything is done manually.”
He also drew attention to the imbalance between the evaluation of domestic and foreign publications, as well as the underestimation of national grants and scientific achievements.
“Three hryvnia of Ukrainian funding is equivalent to one hryvnia of foreign funding. And seven out of eleven indicators relate to publications abroad. This distorts the real picture and devalues national achievements,” he said.
According to the expert, the methodology needs to be refined to take into account the specifics of the industry and the real working conditions of Ukrainian researchers.
“Science is not a formula or a table. It is people, ideas, and the future of the country,” concluded Volodymyr Khaustov.
The full version of the expert’s video is available on the Experts Club channel:
Experts Club is an independent platform for analytical videos and research. The center regularly publishes expert reviews on economics, science, and business, bringing together the opinions of leading analysts, scientists, and business representatives.
The Experts Club Information and Analysis Center presents a selection of significant discoveries in the field of astronomy and space over the past week. The collection includes significant global sources.
Mysterious object 3I/ATLAS approaches Mars
3I/ATLAS, the third known interstellar object to enter the Solar System, was discovered on July 1, 2025, by the ATLAS telescope in Chile. The orbit of 3I/ATLAS is hyperbolic — the object is not bound by the Sun’s gravity and will not revolve around it, but will only pass through the Solar System. According to calculations, on October 3, 2025, it will pass at a distance of approximately 0.19 astronomical units (≈ 28 million km) from Mars.
In the scientific article “3I/ATLAS (C/2025 N1): Direct Spacecraft Exploration of a Possible Relic of Planetary Formation at ‘Cosmic Noon’,” the authors discuss that at the moment of passing inside the orbit of Mars, the comet may be observable from aboard Martian spacecraft.
In addition, there is a high probability that the JUICE probe (ESA mission to Jupiter’s moons) will also detect 3I/ATLAS in November 2025. Recent estimates of the mass of this object place it higher than previous estimates — it may be more massive than previously thought.
Localization of the brightest FRB (Fast Radio Burst)
An international team of astronomers has been able to pinpoint the source of the brightest FRB signal ever recorded and link it to a specific galaxy.
This achievement helps to better understand the nature of these powerful radio pulses and their possible connection to neutron stars or magnetars.
New theory of Type Ia supernovae
An article in The Astrophysical Journal proposes a mechanism whereby some Type Ia supernovae may be triggered by primary black holes without companions.
This could affect the use of these explosions as “standard candles” in cosmology.
New data from Trace Gas Orbiter about Mars
Analysis of images and spectra from the ExoMars/Trace Gas Orbiter mission has shown that Recurring Slope Lineae on Mars can form without the involvement of liquid water — probably due to dust avalanches. The discovery of oxide and seasonal ozone layers in the Martian atmosphere has also been noted.
Discovery of a potential new satellite of Uranus
The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has discovered a potential new satellite of Uranus, provisionally named S/2025 U1, with a diameter of about 10 km, located outside the planet’s ring system.
Educators and researchers report systemic violations of their rights as a result of several recent initiatives of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine (MES), supported by the government. According to them, the changes threaten to increase the shortage of professional staff in technical and engineering fields.
“Postgraduates, higher education institutions in court proceedings, are forced to defend their legal and constitutional rights and freedoms, due to another attempt by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine to reorganize educational processes and educational institutions, to reduce the number of universities and to introduce additional control measures not provided for by the laws and the Constitution of Ukraine, which leads to violations of the constitutional rights and freedoms of educators, scientists, children and youth, in that part which cannot be restricted during the legal regime of martial law, in accordance with the Constitution of Ukraine,” said postgraduate student, head of the charitable organization “Charitable Foundation ‘Change Our Lives’” Roman Serhiyenko at a press conference at the “Interfax-Ukraine” agency.
According to Serhiyenko, the adopted Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers No. 426 of April 8 gave MES the right to amend the procedure for training applicants for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy and Doctor of Sciences. This creates grounds for the expulsion of postgraduate students even if they successfully fulfill their educational and research requirements.
“According to the response letters of MES No.1/8845-24 dated 20.05.2024 and the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine No.81631/C – 18859/7.2.4 dated 31.05.2024, these initiatives did not undergo legal and anti-discrimination examination of the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine and were returned by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine to MES, as indicated in the response to the lawyer’s request No.1/16685-24 dated 13.09.2024, signed by Deputy Minister of Education and Science of Ukraine Mr. Vynnytskyi,” – the Serhiyenko press release states.
In addition to educators, members of parliament also opposed the reorganization, organizing the collection of signatures under a collective appeal to the Prime Minister demanding the cancellation of “changes aimed at depriving citizens of Ukraine of their constitutional rights and freedoms.”
The participants of the event called to:
ban the reorganization and liquidation of educational institutions for at least three years after the end of the war/martial law;
ban the transfer of educational institutions for lease as a single property complex;
ban the sale of property of educational institutions;
change the conditions of the competition for the position of head of an educational institution and limit the term of holding the position.
The press conference was also attended by: head of the Council of Higher Education Applicants, Doctor of Philosophy of NTU “Dnipro Polytechnic” Yelyzaveta Bodriaho; teacher of professional-theoretical training of the State Vocational School “Higher Vocational School No.8 in Stryi” Anatolii Kryvosheiev; head of the legal department of Tavria National University named after V. I. Vernadskyi, Vadym Rykov.
South African businessman Errol Musk, father of billionaire Elon Musk, made an exploratory visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia, assessing the region’s potential for establishing an Institute for Gravitational and Space-Time Research, which would focus on gravity, space-time, terraforming, and longevity, Reuters reports.
Musk had previously considered Dubai as a potential location but abandoned the idea after friends from the Balkans persuaded him to personally evaluate the potential of Serbia and Bosnia.
He stated that he was pleasantly surprised by the level of infrastructure, business environment, and accessibility, noting: “the economy, the behavior of people… it’s idyllic.”
Representatives of the Chamber of Commerce of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina presented him with an educated workforce and economic potential and offered facilities for the future institute.
Errol Musk visited Serbia and Austria as part of a preliminary regional assessment and expressed confidence that the Balkans represent a more economical and efficient solution than Dubai.
Musk envisions the institute as a privately-run platform, independent of governments, attracting professionals “not under ideological pressure” and interested in radical scientific research. The proposed research areas include gravity, space-time, nuclear fusion, and longevity — topics that go beyond conventional academic science.
Although no final decision has been made, Bosnia and Serbia are being considered by Errol Musk as more cost-effective locations with better human resources than the alternatives.
In the winter of 2025, Vertex Pharmaceuticals presented the results of the first large-scale study (phase I/II) of zimislecel (formerly VX-880), a stem cell-based drug. This experimental treatment aims to restore the cells of the islets of Langerhans in the liver of patients.
The trial involved 14 patients with severe type 1 diabetes and hypoglycemia detection disorders. All participants received a single infusion of zimislecel into the hepatic vein and initial immunosuppressive therapy without glucocorticoids. According to data from one year, 10 out of 12 completely stopped insulin injections, becoming insulin-independent, while the remaining two patients reduced their insulin dose by 92% on average. All participants normalized their HbA1c levels (<7%) and spent more than 70% of their time in the glycemic range of 70-180 mg/dL.
Side effects:
• Neutropenia was observed in 3 patients;
• Two fatalities were recorded: one from cryptococcal meningitis (off-protocol), the other from severe cognitive pathology unrelated to treatment.
The discontinuation of insulin therapy in 83% of participants is a very significant achievement, indicating the possibility of restoring endogenous insulin secretion. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) called the data “unprecedented” after three stages of presentation at the ADA-2025 conference in Chicago.
However, it should be noted that the study was small (12–14 participants) and short (12 months); large-scale control experience is needed. Data on long-term efficacy, safety, and commercial affordability are not yet known.
Phase III has now begun, with approximately 50 patients expected to participate. The next results are expected at the end of the year, after which the FDA application process will begin.
The drug is positioned as a breakthrough “functional remission” for a group of patients with severe diabetes and a tendency to hypoglycemic events. If its effectiveness is fully confirmed, it will be a global revolution in the treatment of type 1 diabetes.
During the last two months a series of scientific and practical seminars-tastings of vintage drinks of 20-80 years old were held on the basis of Analytical center “Club of experts” with the assistance of a public association “Ukrsadvindindprom” and Charity fund “Reconstruction and development of Ukraine”. Representatives of Ukrainian wine industry, retail, mass media and other experts took part in these seminars.
All in all, participants of the workshops got acquainted with more than 40 kinds of vintage alcohol, produced in Ukraine and European countries in the second half of the last century. The total age of the drinks exceeds 3000 years.
In particular, such famous Ukrainian collection brands, as “Massandra sherry” from the 1980s and “Black Doctor” from 2007 were presented at the conferences. Among the European alcoholic brands the participants distinguished a rare sherry brandy “Hispano” 1870 (!), another Spanish drink “Ponche Rives” 1978, vermouth “Marsala” 1950-ies and other drinks. All in all 15 different vintage drinks were evaluated by the participants.
According to the words of the expert-collector of vintage alcoholic drinks Igor Magalas, the cost of the majority of samples which were presented at the seminars does not exceed the prices of similar drinks on supermarket shelves. At the same time, the taste and eco-friendliness of vintage drinks are an order of magnitude superior to many modern brands.
“The thing is that the automation of alcohol production lines, which became widespread at the end of the last century, led to a natural decline in quality for the sake of quantity. More than once I faced situations when at closed tastings sommelier experts preferred lower class vintage alcohol produced in the 1960s-1970s to modern expensive brands bottled in the 2000s-2010s,” Magalyas noted.
According to the expert, the reason for this is not the number of years the drink has been in the bottle, but the technological process of production at the initial stages, which largely affects the bouquet and taste of any alcohol.
Maxim Urakin, the organizer of the series of seminars, in turn, expressed hope for the further development of the vintage drinks market in Ukraine and for promotion of the culture of their consumption in the new year 2023.
“We will continue the promotion of vintage alcohol in the Ukrainian market. In Europe this product has a wide consumer audience for a long time, while in our country it is still considered “elite” and unavailable, although in my opinion it is a delusion. Therefore, the main purpose of our seminars, to make vintage alcohol more accessible to Ukrainians” – he stressed.
Vintage (molesim) in wine-making means the year of ripening of a certain grape variety which is used to produce wine, brandy, cognac or other vintage-based drinks. This indicator is important in determining the characteristics of the drink because weather and climatic conditions change every season, which may affect both positive and negative effects on the organoleptic characteristics of beverages of the same brand.
The Club of Experts is Kiev analytical center, which is engaged in researches in the field of economics, sociology and other scientific disciplines. In particular, with the assistance of the Club of experts during the last year there were held several events for the promotion of the national winemaking products.
Public Union “Ukrsadvindindprom” was a partner of the seminar and tasting. “Ukrsadvindwinprom” unites about 200 producers of fruits, berries, nuts and grapes, enterprises that process fruits and berries and produce wine, as well as scientific institutions for implementation of new scientific approaches in production.
The “Reconstruction and Development of Ukraine” Charitable Foundation has been providing extensive volunteer support to the army and civilians since the war began. In particular, with the support of KNUSA Rector Petr Kulikov, the foundation donated a modern mobile hospital for the needs of the military.
CLUB_EXPERTS, CONFERENCE, SCIENCE, UKRSADVINPROM, URAKIN, VINTAGE_WINE, WINE, WINEMAKING
