As part of a working visit to Sumy Oblast by Oleksandr KORNIIENKO (first deputy chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine), a meeting was held at SumDU with representatives of local higher education institutions, attended by regional and city officials. The event was moderated by Mykhailo ANANCHENKO (member of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine).

During his speech, Oleksandr KORNIIENKO emphasized importance of supporting the education sector. In particular, he announced salary increases for research and teaching staff, and also reminded attendees of the state subsidy for modernization of classrooms. It has already covered about 100 educational institutions across Ukraine. Currently, funding for this initiative has been increased to nearly 3 billion hryvnias.

He also emphasized a state support need for technical and engineering disciplines, which are strategically important for country’s development. In particular, increased educational grants for students in these fields have already been introduced.

SumDU has a strong tradition of training technical specialists, as it was originally established as a polytechnic institution. In his speech, Vasyl KARPUSHA (newly elected rector of the university) noted that even in frontline conditions, the institution demonstrates financial stability and actively develops scientific activities:

“Our university is increasingly becoming not just an educational and scientific institution, but a scientific and educational one. Last year, we secured 185 million hryvnias to fund scientific research. This year, we expect around 300 million hryvnias”.

At the same time, he thanked the members of parliament for their support of universities in frontline regions. In particular, last year SumDU received 22 million hryvnias in state subsidies. However, the rector emphasized that due to constant shelling, the university requires additional resources to restore damaged infrastructure.

Meeting participants discussed a number of pressing issues in higher education, including clinical training sites for medical professionals, operation of university clinics, working hours for research and teaching staff, and promotion of STEM disciplines.

During the event, representatives of the educational community and local government were honored. Oleksandr KORNIIENKO presented a Certificate of Honor from the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine for outstanding service to Ukraine to Vitalii SIKORA (professor at the Department of Morphology). Vasyl KARPUSHA was awarded a certificate too.

The visit served as a platform for open dialogue between government officials and educators regarding the future of Ukrainian education in the face of contemporary challenges.