Ukrainian Quality Assurance Forum (UQAF-2024) (25-26.09.2024, Kyiv)
On 25–26 September 2024, the Ukrainian Quality Assurance Forum (UQAF-2024) took place — an international event organised by the National Agency for Higher Education Quality Assurance. The Forum brought together over 800 participants from all regions of Ukraine and international higher education quality experts.
The event was hosted at National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine. The Forum was officially opened during the plenary session “The Future of Education in Ukraine” with the participation of Ruslan STEFANCHUK, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine; Oksen LISOVYI, Minister of Education and Science of Ukraine; Oleg NEMCHINOV, Minister of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine; Andriy BUTENKO, Head of the National Agency for Higher Education Quality Assurance; and Vadym TKACHUK, Rector of the National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine.
First day activities:
Participants engaged in 7 events, including three thematic panel discussions and three presentations on best educational practices. Additionally, a poster session took place, allowing participants to explore exemplary accreditations of educational programmes in greater detail.
The first Panel Discussion “New Design of the External Quality Assurance System in Ukraine” was moderated by Andriy BUTENKO, Head of the National Agency for Quality Assurance in Higher Education. Speakers included Mychailo WYNNYCKYJ, Deputy Minister of Education and Science of Ukraine, responsible for higher education, Member of Erasmus+ HERE team; Ruslan GURAK, Head of the State Service of Education Quality of Ukraine; Kyrylo DEMCHENKO, Co-founder of the Ukrainian Student League; Serhiy KVIT, President of the National University of “Kyiv-Mohyla Academy”; and Nataliia STUKALO, Deputy Head of the National Agency for Higher Education Quality Assurance.
Zhanna TALANOVA, representative of the National Erasmus+ Office – Ukraine, joined the Panel Discussion “Modern Trends and Challenges in Higher Education in Europe”, moderated by Nataliia STUKALO, Deputy Head of the National Agency. Speakers included leaders of ENQA, CEENQA, and quality assurance agencies from Germany, Belgium, France, and Croatia.
The experts identified the following key trends and challenges in the European Higher Education Area:
- Development of European university alliances
- Introduction and promotion of micro-qualifications and their quality assurance
- Digitalisation and application of AI (artificial intelligence) in higher education
- Ensuring adequate funding for higher education (70% of institutions believe higher education is underfunded).
Moreover, Patrick VAN DEN BOSCH from ENQA highlighted the importance of reviewing and updating the ESG 2015, which is scheduled for implementation in 2025.
Second day activities:
Participants engaged in four panel discussions and four presentations on best educational practices.
Volodymyr BAKHRUSHYN, National Expert on Higher Education Reform under the EU Erasmus+ Programme, participated as a speaker in a session dedicated to the presentation of best practices and joined discussions on challenges related to implementing legislative reforms and higher education standards.
Over the two days of the Forum, 15 engaging sessions took place, complemented by active discussions during breaks. The event became a unique and extensive platform for dialogue among experts, educators, students, researchers, rectors, members of the Verkhovna Rada, representatives from the Ministry of Education and Science, Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, the State Agency of Ukraine for Arts and Artistic Education, civil society organisations, international institutions, and employers.
Participants exchanged ideas and proposals on developing the higher education quality assurance system in Ukraine, fostering collaboration and innovation across sectors.