This year our country celebrates the 25th anniversary of its Constitution. The fateful night of June 1996 entered the recent history of our society forever and gave the Ukrainian people their main amulet of statehood and democracy.

The adoption of the Constitution forever engraved the desire of Ukrainians to live in their own independent state. This document affirms the main values of our people – a human and his life, dignity, honor, inviolability and security.

However, we must remember that Ukraine begins with each of us. We alone are responsible for building our society, where humanism, democracy law and justice – the main values declared by the Basic Law of the country – must prevail.

Prospects for educational cooperation, academic mobility, cooperation between education institutions – this was discussed at the Fourth Meeting of the Subcommittee on Education Cooperation of the Ukrainian-Chinese Intergovernmental Commission today, on June 23, 2021, at Chernihiv Polytechnic National University.

The Ukrainian part of the Subcommittee on Cooperation is headed by Andrii Vitrenko, Deputy Minister of Education and Science of Ukraine for European Integration. It also includes Olena Shapovalova, director of the Ukrainian State Center for International Education of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine.

Andrii Vitrenko, Deputy Minister of Education and Science of Ukraine for European Integration, and Tian Xuejun, Deputy Minister of Education of China, outlined the state and prospects of Ukrainian-Chinese cooperation in education and approved the Action Plan of the Subcommittee on Education Cooperation for 2021 -2023 years.

In addition, the parties discussed issues of academic mobility and cooperation between higher education institutions of Ukraine and China.

The meeting also included the opening of the Alliance of Ukrainian and Chinese Universities and the International Conference on Cooperation and Integration of Industry, Education, Research and Application 2021 (ICCIIERA 2021) at the Dalian Hi Chance Center for Science and Technology (PRC).

8 Ukrainian higher education institutions are included in the ranking of the best universities in the world QS World University Rankings 2022. This was reported by the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine.

In total, there are 1,300 universities in the ranking this year, and it is the largest one since 2004.

The rating includes the following Ukrainian higher education institutions:

• V.N. Karazin Kharkiv National University (510−520 place)
• Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv (601−650 place)
• National Technical University “Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute” (651-700 place)
• National Technical University of Ukraine “Kyiv Polytechnic Institute named after Igor Sikorsky” (701-750 place)
• Sumy State University (701−750 place)
• “Lviv Polytechnic” National University (801−1000 place)
• National University “Kyiv-Mohyla Academy” (1001−1200 place)
• Ivan Franko National University of Lviv (1001−1200 place)

Reference:
QS World University Rankings is a global study and a ranking of world-class higher education institutions based on it. They are evaluated on 5 indicators: reputation in the academic environment, citation of scientific publications among employees of the institution, the ratio of teachers and students, the ratio of foreign teachers and students, reputation among employers.

State Enterprise “Ukrainian State Center for International Education” and NGO “Institute of Leadership, Innovation and Development” signed a Memorandum of Cooperation. The document was signed within the framework of the EU project “Network of National Erasmus + Offices and Teams of Experts on Higher Education Reform”.

It is aimed at implementing international educational programs and research projects, promoting the implementation of European Union policy on the implementation of the provisions of the Association Agreement between Ukraine and the EU in the field of education.

“Ukrainian State Center for International Education is always open for the implementation of international projects, because we want Ukrainian higher education to be competitive, meet the requirements of the European Higher Education Area and meet the expectations of foreign students!” – Olena Shapovalova, the director, noted.

The memorandum defines the areas of cooperation between organizations, principles and interaction.

The document provides for cooperation in attracting investments in the development of the education and science system of Ukraine, participation of Ukrainian educational institutions in the implementation of international programs and projects, promotion of EU programs in the field of education.

“It is important to unite efforts and attract students to promote higher education institutions of Ukraine in the international arena for the development of internationalization and participation in international programs, including the EU Erasmus + Program in education, training, youth and sports,” – Svitlana Shitikova, chief of the Council of the Institute of Leadership, Innovation and Development, said.

Also, joint work will be aimed at promoting the communities of foreign and Ukrainian students, graduates and participants of international programs in the field of education, organizing and conducting events in Ukraine and abroad to promote educational opportunities of Ukraine. Among them, the Ukrainian Forum of International Education, open days of the Erasmus + Program in the field of education, youth and sports, etc.

On May 27, 2021 a session of Board of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine took place. Director of the Ukrainian State Center for International Education Olena Shapovalova presented areas of work on the education of foreigners in Ukraine.
 

“In the process of improving higher education, it is important, in particular, to minimize corruption risks when foreigners submit their documents for admission to educational institutions in Ukraine. Thus, we are working to create a single interdepartmental system for the recruitment of foreign students to Ukrainian HEIs. Promotion of Ukrainian education is one of important foundations for development of the state and formation of competitive human capital,” – Minister of Education and Science of Ukraine Serhiy Shkarlet said.
 
Director of the Ukrainian State Center for International Education Olena Shapovalova presented statistical data on the education of foreigners in Ukraine. According to the data, as of 01.01.2021, 76 548 foreign students from 155 countries are studying in Ukraine. Most students are coming from India, Morocco, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Nigeria, China, Turkey, Egypt, Israel, Uzbekistan.
 
Most popular specialties chosen by foreign students are medical ones (more than 50%) and also management, secondary education, law, architecture and construction, economics, banking, finance and insurance.
 
Director of the Ukrainian State Center for International Education Olena Shapovalova pointed out that due to the COVID-19 pandemic and termination of inviting foreign citizens for study or training according to the order of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine almost for 5 months, there was a slight decrease in the number of foreign students in Ukraine. However, owing to the support of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine and the people’s deputies, amendments were made to the MES Order №1541, according to which the terms of admission were extended until December 15, 2020 and April 15, 2021, and the possibility of distance learning for foreigners was returned.
 
“It is pleasant to note the positive dynamics of increasing the number of foreigners studying in Ukrainian HEIs since 2011. This testifies to the proper reputation of Ukrainian higher education abroad. After all, according to results of the research, foreigners choose Ukraine for quality of education, cost of education and recognition of the diplomas at their home countries”, – Olena Shapovalova said.
 
She also emphasized that in order to maintain such positive dynamics and increase it, there is a necessity to take important successive steps.
 
In particular, in pursuance of Decree of the President of Ukraine №210 / 2020 “On Improving Higher Education in Ukraine”, an Action Plan approved by the Government of Ukraine on April 21, 2021 was developed to promote opportunities for higher education in Ukraine for foreign students.
 
It included a historic visit of a delegation of Ukrainian educators led by Minister Serhiy Shkarlet to Tajikistan, and the Ukrainian Forum of International Education, the largest event on international education in Ukraine. In addition, work is underway to introduce a single interdepartmental system for recruiting foreigners, and a pilot project is being prepared to organize distance recruitment for citizens of People’s Republic of China.
 
Among the proposals for attracting foreigners to study in Ukraine there were amendments to regulations governing the timing of entry of foreigners, expanding the international treaty base to ensure a mutually beneficial partnership in education, preparation of the Plan of International Events.
 

“I am confident that owing to the coordinated work of key stakeholders, we will be able to achieve our goals. After all, education of foreign students leads to positive image of Ukraine and investments in the economy of our country!” – Olena Shapovalova summarized.
 

Today is a holiday that honors the unique and distinctive Ukrainian culture and ancient traditions – Vyshyvanka Day.

Ukrainian vyshyvanka is not just a shirt decorated with embroidery. From ancient times the vyshyvanka was a talisman that protected from evil, was a symbol of health and happy fate. The vyshyvanka symbolizes national identity and carries the spiritual connection of many generations.

Vyshyvanka Day is celebrated annually on the third Thursday of May. It is noteworthy that it was founded by students of Chernivtsi University in 2006.

On the occasion of the holiday, the Ukrainian State Center for International Education initiated a flash mob among foreign students studying in Ukrainian higher education institutions. Its purpose is to popularize the vyshyvanka and the cultural heritage of the Ukrainian people in the world. The flash mob was supported by more than 50 students from 16 higher education institutions of Ukraine:

• Bila Tserkva National Agrarian University
• Vinnytsia Mykhailo Kotsiubynskyi State Pedagogical University
• Ivano-Frankivsk National Technical University of Oil and Gas
• Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv
• Lviv University of Trade and Economics
• Interregional Academy of Personnel Management
• Poltava National Technical Yuri Kondratyuk University
• Sumy State University
• Sumy National Agrarian University
• Ternopil Volodymyr Hnatiuk National Pedagogical University
• I.Horbachevsky Ternopil State Medical University
• “KROK” University
• Simon Kuznets Kharkiv National University of Economics
• V.N. Karazin Kharkiv National University
• Cherkasy State Technological University
• Bohdan Khmelnytskyy National University of Cherkasy

Videos can be viewed at the link:
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=475074890269055

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1101171173699738

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2282785071852879

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1181728655613473

We are sincerely grateful to you, dear students, teachers and specialists of structural subdivisions of universities that take care of foreign students, for joining the flash mob and promoting Ukraine!

Embroidered clothing not only emphasizes our national identity – it unites all those who respect Ukraine, all over the world.

Happy World Vyshyvanka Day!

Ukrainian International Education Forum took place on April 22-23, 2021.

The Forum was held as part of the Plan to promote opportunities for higher education in Ukraine for foreign students in accordance with the Order of the President of Ukraine №210/2020 “On the improvement of higher education in Ukraine”.

The speakers of the Forum were more than 30 leading Ukrainian and foreign educational administrators, diplomats, scientists, experts and specialists in the field of higher education internationalization.

During the first day of the Forum, participants learned about:
• features of the unified interdepartmental electronic platform for the enrollment of foreign students in Ukrainian higher education institutions
• statistics on the education of foreign students in Ukraine
• Israeli-Ukrainian relations in the field of education, prospects and challenges of international education for Ukraine
• project on remote enrollment of students from China and cooperation of the countries in the field of higher education
• communication strategy and strategy of public diplomacy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, as well as ways to form a positive image of Ukraine around the world
• capabilities of the EU’s Erasmus+ program for the internationalization of higher education
• aspects of integrating domestic higher medical education into the international educational space
• the American experience and best practices in the internationalization of higher education
• organizational issues of foreign students’ education and more.

The broadcast of the first day of the Forum can be viewed at the link: https://fb.watch/566UCnKuBC/.

 

During the second day of the Forum, participants learned about the promotion of higher education abroad through the historic visit of the Ukrainian delegation of educators led by the Minister of Education and Science of Ukraine Serhiy Shkarlet to the Republic of Tajikistan in March 2021, education of Iranian students in Ukraine, international education internationalization strategy as a catalyst for the development of international activities, promotion of Ukrainian universities abroad, joined the panel discussion “International education – a key vector of Ukraine’s expansion in the world” and took part in a master class on diplomatic protocol.

The broadcast of the second day of the Forum is available at the link: https://fb.watch/566YoBXwmJ.

In total, more than 10,000 viewers watched the broadcast of the Forum on the Ukrainian State Center for International Education’s Facebook page.

The organizers of the Third Ukrainian International Education Forum are the state enterprise “Ukrainian State Center for International Education” and the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine. The event was held in cooperation with EducationUSA and the National Erasmus+ Office in Ukraine (European Union Project).

Read more about the speeches of the first and the second day of the Forum on our website.

The Forum was held in accordance with the Order of the President of Ukraine № 210/2020 “On the improvement of higher education in Ukraine”. The event is included in the Plan to promote opportunities for higher education in Ukraine for foreign students.

The organizers of the Third Ukrainian International Education Forum are the state enterprise “Ukrainian State Center for International Education” and the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine. The event was held in cooperation with EducationUSA and the National Erasmus+ Office in Ukraine (European Union Project).

During the second day of the Forum, registered participants attended a master class “International Education: Diplomatic Protocol, Communication and Search for Partners”. The participants learned about following the rules of diplomatic protocol, etiquette and features of intercultural communication during international meetings, received effective cases and practical tools for building effective cooperation with foreign partners.

Yevgeniya Gaber, Advisor to the Prime Minister of Ukraine, Deputy Director of Hennadii Udovenko Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (2018-2020), stressed the value of the Forum for all stakeholders involved in the process of international education. She spoke about the specifics of educational diplomacy and the promotion of Ukrainian universities abroad, stressed the importance of developing a strategy in the field of international education.

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to the Republic of Tajikistan Vasyl Servatiuk spoke about the details of the visit of the Ukrainian delegation of educators to the Republic of Tajikistan, the importance of the meeting with Tajik graduates of Ukrainian HEIs and the extraordinary benefits of the visit for both countries.

Director of the Ukrainian State Center for International Education Dr. Olena Shapovalova presented to the participants the Development Strategy of “Study in Ukraine” and paid special attention to the aspects of the Center’s cooperation with higher education institutions.

Advisor of the Presidium of the National Academy of Educational Sciences of Ukraine Serhiy Kurbatov presented a report “Internationalization strategy as a catalyst for the development of international activity”. In it, the speaker revealed the essence of the internationalization process, its features and directions, on the example of the internationalization strategy of NAES demonstrated the importance of such a document for the university or academic institution and its indicators.

 

The second part of the program for the Forum’s final day was dedicated to a panel “International education – a key vector of Ukraine’s expansion in the world”, moderated by Violeta Moskalu – Founder of the Global Ukraine Foundation. The speakers of the panel presented community building practices at the Center of University Development Strategies in Israel, shared modern practices of learning foreign languages that are successful methods for integrating foreign students, on the example of the University of Paris-Est Creteil. Listeners learned about the development of a global platform of Ukrainian ambassadors to the world based on a network of graduates of Ukrainian HEIs, as well as received recommendations from the Global Ukrainians network.

At the end of the Forum, Director of “Study in Ukraine” Dr. Olena Shapovalova thanked all the speakers, participants and partners for their interest in the Third Ukrainian International Education Forum and called to join in on the creation of the Forum resolution.

“This document will be of extraordinary value. After all, in the resolution we will unite all of the most important proposals that are necessary for the development of international education in Ukraine, and we will make every effort to implement them and make Study in Ukraine better!” – noted Dr. Olena Shapovalova.

What are the specifics of business ethics, what is diplomatic protocol, how to search for partners during the pandemic – all this was discussed during the master class “International Education: Diplomatic Protocol, Communication and Search for Partners”. The event took place within the framework of the Third Ukrainian International Education Forum on April 23, 2021 for registered participants.

The master class was divided into 3 thematic blocks and a Q&A block.

During the first part, educational consultant (University of Hong Kong) Yelyzaveta Shchepetylnykova told the participants about searching for partners, postulates of official correspondence and resources that can be used for effective communication. Listeners had the opportunity to share their own experiences and received practical tools for having effective interactions with foreign partners in the new environment.

The speaker of the second part was professional consultant on etiquette and protocol, founder of the educational center “Business Ethics and Etiquette School” Olga Nakonechna. She outlined the topic of diplomatic protocol as an important component of establishing international communications, spoke about the requirements for clothing and behavior in the context of national and religious specifics.

During the final block, Ukrainian diplomat and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine Boris Bazylevskiy noted the importance of the Third Ukrainian International Education Forum as a platform for promoting important aspects of higher education internationalization and exchange of experience. Listeners learned about types of protocol, its components and the intricacies of complying with the protocol during meetings with foreign delegations and official receptions.

Participants of the master class will receive by mail a certificate of its completion, as well as other informational materials of the Forum.

During the Third Ukrainian International Education Forum, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the State of Israel to Ukraine Joel Lion made a report on the development of Israeli-Ukrainian educational relations.

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the State of Israel to Ukraine Joel Lion thanked for the care extended to Israeli students who come to study in the Ukrainian Higher Education Institutions.

As of January 1, 2021, 2107 Israeli citizens are studying in Ukrainian higher education institutions. The most popular HEIs among them are:

1. Odesa National Medical University
2. Kharkiv National Medical University
3. V.N. Karazin Kharkiv National University
4. Dnipro Medical University
5. Uzhhorod National Medical University

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the State of Israel to Ukraine Joel Lion noted the positive cooperation between the universities of both countries.

Director of “Study in Ukraine” Olena Shapovalova stressed the value of the visits to Israel, during which a number of agreements and memoranda that expand opportunities for cooperation and development of Ukrainian-Israeli relations in the field of education were signed.