On 13 March 2025, Mykhailo VYNNYTSKYI (the Deputy Minister of Education and Science of Ukraine) visited SumDU. The visit purpose was to get acquainted with the border university, which demonstrates achievements in all activities: scientific, educational, extracurricular.

The first location was the central campus where flowers were laid at the Fallen Student Soldier Memorial. Then the guest reviewed the material, technical, educational and methodological base of SumDU. The Center for Collective Use of Scientific Equipment presented SumDU achievements. Besides, the latest digital technologies of the Ulab Virtual and Augmented Reality Research Laboratory were represented.

The guest also visited two training centers for Olympic athletes. During the visit to sports facilities, he had an opportunity to see conditions in which SumDU athletes are trained.

At the meeting with the university management, there was a discussion for topical issues of reforming higher education. The deputy minister presented vision, mission, and strategy for development of education and science. He announced innovations in the education sector. The priorities include transparency of funding, grant provision, development of individual educational trajectories, and educational modernization. All these areas are an important part of comprehensive transformation and improvement of the higher education system.

The guest answered questions of the participants: assessment improving in medical education, support for priority programs (IT), PhD and DSc training, promotion of domestic education in Ukraine and abroad, support for border universities.

Mykhailo VYNNYTSKYI noted it was the first time he visited SumDU in his capacity as the deputy minister. He was pleasantly surprised by what he saw.

“I am very much impressed. By all indicators, SumDU is leading in the top five. This is an interesting phenomenon. After all, people often associate top institutions with big cities, with the capital. And I always say: do not forget that we have another powerful research and education center located in Sumy – 40 kilometers from the Russian border. I thank for the resilience team and for what you do. Your achievements are appreciated in Ukraine and abroad. SumDU is a unique university, an outpost of Ukrainian education and science,” – emphasized the deputy minister.

Vasyl KARPUSHA (SumDU rector) underlined importance of such meetings, especially in the context of media saturation with distorted information. A lively, interactive dialog contributes to an objective understanding of processes. On behalf of the staff, the rector expressed his gratitude to the guest for his professional and frank conversation. SumDU was, is and will be a reliable institution of Ukraine.