The Team of Karazin University has Successfully Completed the Professional Development Programme for Academic Managers

On April 22, 2026, the final defense of projects took place within the Professional Development Programme for Academic Managers, implemented as part of the World Bank project "UIHERP — Ukraine Improving Higher Education for Results Project" in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine and the British Council.

The team from Karazin University, which underwent training at Mariupol State University in Kyiv, was led by the Director of the Education and Research Institute “Academy of Teaching” Olha Vyhovska. The team also included: Deputy Director of the Education and Research Institute “UIEPA” Maryna Vasylieva, Deputy Director of the Education and Research Institute “Teachers' Academy” Tetiana Datsenko, Deputy Dean of the School of Economics Karina Panova, Deputy Head of the International Projects Office Roman Nesterenko, and Head of the Department of Economics and Management Larysa Tiesheva.

The programme, which ran from October 2025, consisted of four thematic modules and aimed to develop the managerial capacity of universities and prepare academic leaders to work in conditions of change, uncertainty, and the post-war transformation of Ukraine’s higher education system.

The training covered the following key areas:

• The role of the university in social transformations.
• strategic planning under conditions of uncertainty;
• human resource management;
• finances, projects, and resources.

Within the programme, participants worked with modern management approaches and tools, including:

• analyzing European and national policies in the field of higher education;
• developing skills in strategic planning, implementation, and communication of strategy;
• studying approaches to personnel management, motivation, and professional development;
• exploring mechanisms for the financial sustainability of universities, resource management, and attracting grant funding;
• examining issues of risk management, crisis response, and data-driven decision-making.

The final stage of the programme was the defence of institutional projects, during which the team presented a concept to update the university’s strategy to enhance its international recognition, develop partnerships, and strengthen its role as a socially responsible intellectual centre. The proposed solution includes strategic goals, staff competency development, increased financial sustainability, and a concrete plan for institutional change.

The team expresses sincere gratitude to the programme organizers and trainers for the high level of organization, professional support, and valuable practical experience.