Across the Globe

Reforming Higher Education in Ukraine

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A group of Ukrainian higher education experts are learning from US best practices how to be advocates for transparent universities in Ukraine through a new education training initiative.

Corruption in higher education casts a shadow on many countries that are working towards more modern and progressive political and economic systems. While this is slowly changing, Ukraine has been no exception.

With the introduction of a new higher education law in September 2014, reforming the education system in Ukraine has been a key priority for its government. As part of this focus, American Councils is carrying out the Reforming Ukraine's Higher Education System Project (RUHESP), a 10-month program providing in-depth learning opportunities for Ukrainian higher education reform leaders to further their expertise in the following areas:

  • Higher education accreditation
  • Effective, transparent, and ethical academic operations and management
  • Institutional development, fundraising, and university-industry partnerships

The program encourages Ukrainian higher education experts to develop actionable plans for education reform, while learning from best practices in the US higher education system. The goal is to create and support a growing network of reform-minded leaders ready to advocate and enact the changes required by the new higher education law.

Over a period of 10 months, the Ukrainian representatives are participating in online meetings, and trainings, and workshops in the US and Ukraine to connect with US experts.

The Ukrainian Delegation Visits the US
This March, the delegation convened in the US for one week to focus on developing an actionable road map to implement reforms. Within the delegation, each expert is responsible for conveying lessons learned and action plans for their subject area to the Ministry of Education and Science in Ukraine.

For example, after meeting with the US Department of Education and National Architecture Accreditation Board, the delegates are producing a report with recommendations on components of the US accreditation experience that could be implemented in Ukraine.
The delegation also met with US university administrators, student groups, and associations to learn more about promoting honor codes and more transparent processes, including financial oversight.

Now in the final stage of the project, the Ukrainian experts are preparing proposals to share with key stakeholders in the higher education sphere and are ready to assume their role as advocates for effective and transparent universities in Ukraine.

About the Project
The Reforming Ukraine's Higher Education System Project (RUHESP) is a 10-month initiative funded by the US Embassy in Kyiv, Ukraine that provides specific support to the Ukrainian higher education community, including the Ministry of Education and Science in Ukraine. American Councils has been active in Ukraine since the early 1990s and has been instrumental in advancing anti-corruption efforts in education through projects funded by USAID and the US Embassy in Kyiv.

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