On 29 August 2025, SumDU hosted the annual August conference of administration, management, scientific and teaching staff. The event was attended by Denys KURBATOV (deputy minister of education and science of Ukraine).

During his speech, the official congratulated the university staff on beginning of the new academic year. He noted significant achievements of SumDU in the scientific field despite the wartime challenges. In particular, the amount of funding for research and development from the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine has more than doubled in recent years: from UAH 24.8 million in 2022 to UAH 62.3 million in 2025. Denys KURBATOV also presented state policy innovations in the field of education and science. It concerned transformation of the scientific sphere, changes in the model of financing higher education institutions, support for young scientists, and personnel policy.

Achievements of the past academic year and future plans were presented by the university’s vice-rectors. General guidelines for further work were outlined by the rector Vasyl KARPUSHA.

Safety and quality of education are priorities of the new academic year. Inna SHKOLNYK (first vice-rector) focused on maximum compliance with safe conditions for all participants in the educational process, including during classes held online. She reported on expanding the network of safe educational spaces.

Among the key tasks are zero tolerance for academic plagiarism, maximum demands on curriculum quality. Currently, SumDU is among the top three Ukrainian institutions in terms of the percentage of exemplary accreditations.

Importance of education digitalization, placement of all educational and methodological materials on the MIX platform, active implementation of mobile applications, updating the content of disciplines, and cooperation with employers were also noted.

“Quality education is our victory over the enemy and despair,” – concluded Inna SHKOLNYK.

Vice-rector Ivan KOZII spoke about results of the admission campaign, development of e-learning technologies and IT infrastructure. Among international achievements is expansion of strategic partnerships with foreign institutions. Over the past year, 24 new cooperation agreements were concluded, the total number of international partners is 357. SumDU continues to actively cooperate with the University of Liverpool within the Twinning Initiative and strengthens partnerships with members of the Alliances of European and Ukrainian Universities.

In digitalization, the MIX platform has been updated. It has become the single system for all forms of education. The university is working to increase IT resilience: computer classes and multimedia classrooms are being equipped in shelters, rapid recovery after enemy attacks is being carried out, and uninterrupted operation of the data and communication system is being ensured.

Anatolii CHORNOUS (vice-rector for research) outlined further positive dynamics in scientific activity, concluding more economic and grant agreements, financing research, publication activity, etc.

Implementing tasks and determining strategy for distance and correspondence education, as well as activities of separate structural units, became the topic of speech of vice-rector Oleksandr BRYZHATYI. Among tasks, there are career guidance work, curriculum integration with basic higher education, digital innovations in education, academic mobility, modernization of the material and technical base and creation of safe educational environment.

Achievements in adult education and sports activities were separately noted.

In his concluding speech, Vasyl KARPUSHA thanked for coordinated and dedicated work. He emphasized that despite all challenges, the university confidently maintains high positions in all areas of activity.

“The enemy’s tactic is to sow fatigue and discouragement. Our response is unity, stability and quality. The university strength is in its team,” – emphasized the rector.

The key priority remains to preserve the human resource potential. In this context, the motivational component is especially important for those who actively and effectively work for university success. As the rector noted, SumDU maintains financial stability, but state support is important for its strengthening. In particular, funds are provided by the government for front-line regions.

In this regard, Vasyl KARPUSHA appealed to the deputy minister with a request to facilitate the prompt receipt of appropriate funding. Of the 300 million UAH allocated from the state budget to support universities in three regions, SumDU should receive 22 million UAH.

“We will continue to develop a successful university. Let’s remain optimistic and work together - as a single team of SumDU,” – summed up the rector.