The Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine has initiated a competitive selection process for the appointment of members to the supervisory boards of two leading higher education institutions: Zaporizhzhia National University and Ivan Franko National University of Precarpathian, named after Vasyl Stefanyk. Both universities are participants in an experimental project aimed at enhancing the autonomy of certain higher education institutions through the strengthening of the powers of their supervisory boards. This is an important step in the reform of higher education in Ukraine, allowing universities more independence in defining their development strategies, improving management efficiency, and enhancing their interactions with external stakeholders.
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Powers of the updated supervisory boards
As part of the experimental project, the supervisory boards of these universities will be granted new, expanded powers. Among the key responsibilities of the boards will be the development of the university’s development strategy, determining the main areas of growth, and interacting with the university’s leadership. The updated supervisory boards will also have the authority to:
- Approve the candidates for the positions of rector and vice-rectors.
- Define clear key performance indicators (KPIs) for the university’s leadership.
- Address issues related to the internal quality assurance system of education at the university.
These changes will allow universities to gain greater autonomy, enabling them to more effectively respond to the challenges of the modern educational environment and improve the quality of education and management.
Eligibility for participation in the competition
Both Ukrainian citizens and foreigners are eligible to apply for the competition, provided they meet certain requirements. Candidates must have:
- Higher education.
- At least 10 years of work experience.
- Expertise in specific areas related to the position of supervisory board member.
Applications for participation must be submitted by November 22, 2024, at the latest. Candidates can submit their applications in the following ways:
- In person or by postal mail to the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine: 10 Beresteiskyi Avenue, Kyiv, 01135.
- By email: nagladova.rada.konkurs.mon@gmail.com.
For those who want to review the full competition conditions, announcements are available for each university:
- Announcement for Zaporizhzhia National University
- Announcement for Ivan Franko National University of Precarpathian
The competition committee
The competitive selection will be conducted by a committee consisting of three representatives from international organizations that cooperate with Ukraine in the field of higher education, as well as three nominees from the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine. All committee members have extensive experience in the educational, business, and public sectors. This ensures transparency and a high level of competence in the selection process.
The importance of the reform
The inclusion of independent members in the supervisory boards of universities is a crucial step in the democratization and autonomy of Ukrainian higher education institutions. These boards will have the authority to independently formulate development strategies, enhance educational quality, and introduce innovative management approaches. This is expected to significantly improve the management of universities and bring them closer to international standards.
All the changes taking place as part of this project are aimed at improving the quality of education in Ukraine, creating new opportunities for students and academics, and developing educational institutions as important centers of knowledge and innovation.
Conclusion
The Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine is opening up new opportunities to improve governance processes at universities by forming independent supervisory boards with substantial powers. Candidates who meet the eligibility requirements and wish to contribute to this reform can submit their applications by November 22, 2024. This is an important step towards modernizing higher education in Ukraine.
