The public organization “Union of Rectors of Higher Education Institutions of Ukraine” sent a letter to the Prime Minister of Ukraine, in which it opposed granting university boards of trustees the right to manage the property and funds of higher education institutions, as well as to appoint and dismiss the heads of these institutions.
“We have repeatedly warned government officials against ill-considered steps and reforms that lead to a decline in the quality of educational and research processes and destabilize the situation within academic communities, which are already suffering during these difficult years of war. The public is concerned about the unchecked influence of certain civil society organizations and individuals who abuse their power to initiate so-called ‘reforms,’ for which the ministry’s previous leadership allocated up to 50 billion hryvnias in grant funds, World Bank loans, and other resources. “The results of these ‘reforms’ are either unknown to the public or highly questionable,” the organization’s statement reads.
In particular, it is noted that Union members were outraged by the efforts of a group of individuals to exert influence over university leadership by introducing management changes through the strengthening of supervisory boards.
In this regard, the Union sent a letter to the Prime Minister of Ukraine, in which it strongly opposed granting supervisory boards the right to dispose of the property and funds of higher education institutions, as well as to appoint and dismiss the heads of these institutions.
“In practice, academic councils, faculty conferences, and student self-governing bodies are being stripped of their influence over university affairs, and all faculty members, researchers, staff, and students are being deprived of the right to elect and recall the university president,” the civic organization added.
At the same time, according to Ksenia Semenova, president of the National University “Kyiv Aviation Institute” (KAI), the Union of Rectors is a controversial civic organization known for its statements opposing educational reforms.
“Half a year ago, they issued a statement calling for the repeal of the high school reform. It later turned out that none of the university rectors had actually signed that statement or even seen it in person. The members of this civic organization are not universities but individuals, some of whom are not university administrators. In short, this is not a representative body but a special-interest group,” she wrote on Facebook after a meeting between the Union and the leadership of the Ministry of Education.
In response, the Union claimed it was under attack by “certain radicals, heads of educational institutions who were appointed in violation of current legislation and are exerting overt pressure on the leadership of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine through certain members of the Ukrainian Parliament and specific political forces.”
As previously reported, in September 2024, the Cabinet of Ministers launched a pilot project at three universities aimed at strengthening the role of supervisory boards. Specifically, the participants in the pilot project were the National Aviation University (NAU), which was reorganized into the state-owned non-profit enterprise “National University ‘Kyiv Aviation Institute’ (KAI),” as well as Zaporizhzhia National University and Vasyl Stefanyk Carpathian National University.
Mykhailo Fedorov, the former deputy prime minister in charge of education, announced in mid-2025 that the reform would be extended to all higher education institutions in 2026. However, in late 2025, Mykola Trofimenko, the deputy minister of education responsible for this area, stated that supervisory boards would be enshrined in law, but the reform would remain voluntary.
On October 6, 2026, Trofimenko stated that the Ministry of Education had not found the two-year pilot program sufficient to confirm the effectiveness of the model for strengthening the role of supervisory boards at universities. For his part, Minister of Education Andriy Butenko believes it is still too early to assess the results of the pilot program at this intermediate stage.
Ksenia Semenova, president of the National University “Kyiv Aviation Institute” (KAB), believes that the experiment to strengthen the role of supervisory boards at universities should be extended to all higher education institutions or, at the very least, provide for a change in their organizational and legal form to state-owned nonprofit associations.
The Ministry of Education proposes to extend the slightly modified pilot project on implementing a strengthened model of higher education institution governance for another two years. Specifically, the bill proposes to conduct another two-year pilot program involving the National University “Kyiv Aviation Institute” (KAI), Zaporizhzhia National University, and Vasyl Stefanyk Carpathian National University, which already participated in the previous pilot program that lasted the past two years. Other state universities under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Education and Science will be able to initiate their participation in the enhanced model by decision of their academic council, and the ministry will also be able to independently initiate the inclusion of an institution in the enhanced model if signs of a crisis situation are identified.
In late October, following a meeting with the Union of Rectors, the Ministry of Education and Science stated that it does not plan to involve universities on a large scale in the pilot program aimed at strengthening the role of supervisory boards in higher education institutions.
Source: https://zvo.knu.ua/ua/news-1-3-438-zayava-spilki-rektoriv-ukraini
Andriy Butenko, Ukraine’s Minister of Education and Science, discussed with Seymur Mardaliyev, the Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan to Ukraine, the recognition of higher education documents, the expansion of cooperation between universities, and the preparation of bilateral events in the field of education and science.
“As of early 2026, more than 5,400 Azerbaijani citizens were studying in Ukraine—about one-third of all international students. The Ukrainian side reaffirmed its interest in maintaining this cooperation and creating appropriate conditions for pursuing an education,” according to a statement from the Ministry of Education.
It is noted that special attention was given to the recognition of diplomas from Ukrainian higher education institutions in Azerbaijan.
In particular, the Ukrainian side proposed to thoroughly examine the relevant issues within the framework of a specialized working group.
The meeting also addressed the issue of documentation required for the admission and arrival of Azerbaijani students coming to study in Ukraine.
In addition, the meeting participants discussed preparations for a visit to Azerbaijan by a delegation from the Ministry of Education led by Deputy Minister Mykola Trofimenko.
“The proposed program includes a working group meeting on the recognition of educational documents, as well as meetings with the leadership of the relevant ministry and university rectors. The visit is intended to facilitate the development of joint decisions and the establishment of direct partnerships between higher education institutions in both countries. The possibility of organizing a meeting between the education ministers of Ukraine and Azerbaijan by the end of this year was also discussed,” the statement reads.
The parties also discussed preparations for the 14th meeting of the Joint Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation and the signing of an intergovernmental agreement on scientific and technical cooperation.
Ukrainian universities are joining the European Researchers’ Night initiative, which will take place on September 25 this year. Specifically, Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic National University will host “Science Night 2026” on that day, while Lviv Polytechnic is coordinating a separate European Researchers’ Night 2026–2027 project as part of the Horizon Europe program.
According to Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic, “Science Night 2026” will take place on September 25 on the university campus and will be aimed primarily at schoolchildren, prospective students, and young people. The program includes interactive experiments, scientific demonstrations, a children’s science conference, and international events featuring foreign partners. The event will be held with due consideration for the security situation; the university notes that shelters are available.
A separate international conference as part of “Science Night” is also scheduled for September 25. Researchers from European universities are expected to participate.
In addition, for the first time at this level, Ukraine is represented by a separate project in the European Researchers’ Night program. Lviv Polytechnic has become the coordinator of the international project STEM for Science, Technology, Awareness & Researchers (STEM4STAR), selected for funding under the
European Researchers’ Night and Researchers at Schools 2026–2027 program of Horizon Europe.
According to the university, 241 applications from various European countries were submitted to the competition, and funding was recommended for 49 projects. STEM4STAR received the highest scores from experts across all criteria. The project involves organizing science festivals, European Researchers’ Night events, demonstrations of modern technologies, geospatial games, mapping challenges, mapathons, STEM programs, and startup competitions in Lviv. Some sessions will also take place in schools and colleges across Western Ukraine.
European Researchers’ Night is a pan-European initiative funded by the EU through the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions. In 2026, the main event will take place on September 25. According to the European Research Council, over 1 million participants are expected across approximately 40 countries. Universities and research institutions will host open labs, experiments, science shows, discussions, exhibitions, and interactive events for the general public.
The Veterans Cluster of Ukraine, in collaboration with the “Architecture of Resilience” Veterans Institute at Kyiv National University of Construction and Architecture, continues to support veterans, active-duty military personnel, and their family members as part of the 2026 admissions campaign.
The application period for master’s programs begins on August 7. By that time, applicants must create an online account, register for any applicable benefits, complete a foreign language interview, and pass subject-specific entrance exams.
Program participants can receive tuition-free education in over 50 fields of study and more than 100 academic programs. Funding is available through state compensation programs, grants, scholarships, and employer support programs.
The program also provides opportunities for retraining, professional development, earning a second higher education degree, and admission to master’s or doctoral programs. Veterans are offered full-time, part-time, online, and distance learning options, allowing them to combine their education with work, medical treatment, rehabilitation, or military service.
Throughout their studies, participants can receive psychological support, get involved in projects to rebuild Ukraine, and interact with employers. Program partners include Axor, Barks, and other businesses.
The network of partner universities includes KNUBA, the National University of Physical Education and Sports of Ukraine, the Western Ukrainian National University, the Yuriy Kondratyuk Poltava Polytechnic National University, Vasyl Stefanyk Precarpathian National University, the National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine, Drohobych State Pedagogical University, Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute, Ivan Pul’uj Ternopil National Technical University, and the University of Educational Management.
The National University of Physical Education and Sports of Ukraine operates a training and rehabilitation center for veterans.
One of the program’s students is veteran Vadym Honcharenko, who is studying at KNUBA to become a coach in adaptive sports. According to him, his choice of major was influenced by his own experience with rehabilitation through sports.
“I want to show people who, due to injuries or disabilities, think that an active life is over for them that this is not the case. A lot depends on us,” Goncharenko noted.
He also advises prospective students to focus on their own needs and choose a major that will be practically useful after graduation.
The Veterans’ Cluster emphasizes that there is not much time left to make a decision, but applicants can still prepare their documents and complete the necessary procedures before the application period begins.
Detailed information is available on the website Veterano.info.
Contact information for consultations:
+38 073 94 96 179
+38 050 22 35 182
+38 067 49 81 098
Artem Goncharenko, Director of the Veterans Institute: +38 073 177 72 73.
Antonina Savchenko, Coordinator of Higher Education and Admissions Programs: +380 63 245 34 05.
admissions, EDUCATION, GONCHARENKO, KNUBA, master’s program, UNIVERSITY, ветеран
With the support of the international electrical engineering company Schneider Electric, Ukrainian universities have gained access to state-of-the-art ETAP software for designing and analyzing electrical networks. The company also conducted training for faculty members: more than 200 representatives from 30 universities learned how to use the professional tool SEE Electrical Expert. Thanks to this initiative, students will be able to learn how to design electrical schematics using modern digital solutions, preparing them for real-world professional challenges in the energy sector.
SEE Electrical Expert is software for creating electrical schematics, technical documentation, and 3D visualizations. The program allows users to develop schematic diagrams, work with component libraries, and automatically generate specifications and documentation, which significantly reduces project development time and helps minimize the risk of errors. It also enables the creation of a 3D model of an electrical panel, helping to avoid mistakes during assembly.
In addition to the software, in 2025 Schneider Electric donated equipment worth 2,000,000 UAH to universities for their educational laboratories, enabling students to apply modern concepts of automation and electrical engineering in practice and promoting the integration of innovative engineering solutions into the educational process.
Specifically, state-of-the-art electrical engineering equipment was donated to the National Technical University “Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute,” Lviv Polytechnic National University, Odesa National Technological University, National University of Food Technologies, National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine, Kryvyi Rih National University, and other higher education institutions.
In 2025, more than 600 ETAP licenses were transferred to Ukrainian universities in several stages:
Training sessions on using SEE Electrical Expert took place from September 2025 through May 2026, with over 200 faculty members from 30 Ukrainian universities participating in total.
“Today’s students are the engineers who will be developing Ukraine’s energy sector tomorrow. That is why it is important for them to learn using the technologies employed in the real world. By investing in education, we not only help young professionals adapt more quickly to their careers, but we also contribute to the country’s reconstruction and create opportunities for young people to realize their potential in Ukraine,” said Mykhailo Bubnov, CEO of Schneider Electric.
“In the near future, we have an ambitious plan to create a modern project laboratory, the ‘Schneider Electric Academy-KAI,’ which will not only ensure the use of software in the educational process but also enable students to participate in creating digital twins of the power supply systems for critical infrastructure in the aviation industry. “Therefore, the effectiveness of our collaboration with Schneider Electric allows us to look to the future with confidence. The energy labor market will be supplied with specialists possessing the necessary professional skills and competencies,” commented Serhiy Ilienko, Associate Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Power Machinery at the National University “Kyiv Aviation Institute.”
Schneider Electric also announced a teaching materials competition aimed at encouraging the academic community to actively use SEE Electrical Expert in the educational process. Competition participants have the opportunity to present their own approaches to solving applied electrical design problems.
EDUCATION, electrical design, ETAP, Schneider Electric, UNIVERSITY
At Kyiv University of Law of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, a discussion has arisen ahead of the rector election regarding a possible change to the university’s management model and the creation of a new position of university president, according to the Anti-Corruption Business Front (ACBF).
According to the public organization “Anti-Corruption Business Front” and Ukrainian media, the election for rector of the Kyiv University of Law of the NAS of Ukraine is scheduled to take place on July 2, 2026. The current rector, Yuriy Boshitsky, has led the university for more than two decades, and after completing his second term, his powers were extended by a decision of the Presidium of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine for the duration of martial law.
The authors of the article note that, on the eve of the election, the position of university president appeared in the draft of the new charter of the State University of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine. It is precisely this, in their opinion, that raises the question: Is an additional center of influence being formed at the university alongside the future rector?
According to the publication, the draft charter stipulates that the university president may participate in shaping the institution’s development strategy, coordinate the activities of separate structural units, participate in property management matters, represent the university in the sphere of international cooperation, and serve ex officio on the academic council.
The media, citing the APF, note that the position of university president is not prohibited in and of itself and may serve a representative or advisory role at various institutions. However, risks arise if such a position is granted actual managerial authority and can influence the institution’s strategy, assets, international relations, and internal policies.
The reports also state that the revised charter was approved at general staff meetings concurrently with the nomination of Sergey Matveev, vice rector for academic affairs, for the position of rector. The authors of the publication emphasize that the candidate’s participation in the election is not in itself a violation; however, combined with the creation of the position of university president, this raises questions about the competitiveness of the election and the genuine renewal of the university’s leadership.
A separate section of the publication is devoted to the Rivne Institute of the State University under the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine. The article discusses the need to investigate the use of the premises of this separate unit of the state university, including the grounds for the possible use of certain areas for purposes other than the educational process. The APF emphasizes that these facts require investigation and does not claim that they have been proven.
The civil society activists’ publications also mention criminal proceedings registered in 2024 on grounds of abuse of power or official position. According to APF, there is no information in open sources regarding anyone being notified of suspicion or the conclusion of the investigation.
The authors of the article believe that the situation at the Kyiv University of Law of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine is significant not only for this single educational institution, as it touches on the broader issues of leadership turnover at state universities, transparency in asset management, the role of the founding body, and the limits of university autonomy.
For the higher education system, this story could serve as a test case: can a state university’s charter establish an administrative position that effectively influences key decisions but is not subject to the rector’s election procedure and does not fall under the same term limits for holding a leadership position?
The Kyiv University of Law of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine was established in 1995 on the basis of the V.M. Koretsky Institute of State and Law of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine. The university is a state institution of higher education subordinate to the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine and specializes in training professionals in the fields of law and international law.
Source:
https://apf.org.ua/yak-u-kyivskomu-universyteti-prava-mozhe-narodytysia-novyi-tsentr-vlady/
https://lenta.ua/yak-u-kiyivskomu-universiteti-prava-mozhe-naroditisya-noviy-tsentr-vladi-194784/
ADMINISTRATION, Boshitsky, CHARTER, ELECTIONS, NAS, rector, State University of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, UNIVERSITY
