Launch of the Certificate Program “Educational Leadership in Turbulent Times”

On September 25–26, 2025, in the new premises of the Institute of Teacher Training (“Academy of Teaching”) of V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University in Kyiv, the implementation of the certificate program “Educational Leadership in Turbulent Times” was launched. The program was developed in cooperation with the University of Warwick (United Kingdom).

More than 20 representatives of local self-government bodies and heads of educational institutions from the Kharkiv region joined the training. They became the first participants of a two-day face-to-face training, which marked the beginning of the program’s pilot stage.

The event was attended by the Minister of Education and Science of Ukraine, Oksen Lisovyi, who emphasized the crucial role of school leaders in shaping a modern values-based paradigm and creating a leadership environment capable of guiding communities even in extremely challenging conditions.

“Here we have teachers from Kharkiv region. I am deeply impressed by the enthusiasm with which you continue to devote yourselves to your profession in these times. Communities stand strong because schools are working — when the school is alive, the community is alive. Despite everything, you are here; you strive for development, you look for opportunities. More than that, you do not wait—you are proactive, you move forward and make use of every possibility. It is the duty of all of us who care about education to create more such opportunities for you,” — the Minister noted.

Rector Tetyana Kaganovska underlined the importance of close cooperation and unity between secondary and higher education, since it is precisely this synergy that forms a continuous educational pathway for the younger generation:

“Today, we feel an especially strong connection between secondary and higher education. Before becoming renowned scholars, public servants, doctors, or teachers, children are first and foremost school students. Someone has to inspire them, to give them the strength to believe in themselves and their abilities. This is our shared responsibility — to ensure that children stay in our schools, choose Ukrainian universities, and consciously choose to live and work in Ukraine,” — the Rector emphasized.

The program is aimed at developing the managerial competencies of educational leaders in the context of implementing the New Ukrainian School reform and overcoming the challenges caused by the war. The program is led by Liliya Hrynevych, Vice-Rector of Karazin University, who oversees the activities of the Institute of Teacher Training.

She emphasized the importance of fostering a new culture of educational leadership, based on partnership, interaction, and resilience:

“The implementation of the New Ukrainian School reform requires true leadership, and it is educational managers who must become such leaders. For this, it is extremely important to understand the essence of the reform and to share its values.”

The lecturers of the first training session were:

• Liliya Hrynevych — PhD in Pedagogical Sciences, Associate Professor, Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs, Professor at the Department of Public Administration and Civil Service, Minister of Education and Science of Ukraine (2016–2019);

• Vadym Luniachek — Doctor of Pedagogical Sciences, Professor, Professor at the Department of Innovative Pedagogy, Educational Transformations and Leadership;

• Tetyana Vakulenko — PhD in Pedagogical Sciences, Associate Professor, Director of the Ukrainian Center for Educational Quality Assessment (UCEQA);

• Oleksandr Elkin — PhD in Technical Sciences, Chair of the Board of NGO “EdCamp Ukraine,” Member of the Supervisory Board of V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University.

The training program consists of three modules:

1. “Educational Leadership in the Context of the New Ukrainian School Reform and the Challenges of War”; 2.“Ensuring Institutional Resilience in Conditions of Uncertainty and Digital Transformation”; 3.“Education Development Strategy at the Level of Communities and Educational Institutions.”

The program is delivered in a blended format, combining online learning with face-to-face training. After completing all three modules, participants will have the opportunity to develop their own education development strategy for their community or institution. The final project will serve as the key outcome of the program and the basis for obtaining the certificate.

The launch of the “Educational Leadership in Turbulent Times” program is an important step in supporting professional communities of educational leaders who are able to effectively respond to challenges and foster educational development even under conditions of uncertainty.

The program was created by the Academy of Teaching of V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University in cooperation with the University of Warwick (UK), with the support of the International Renaissance Foundation, NGO “EdCamp Ukraine,” and the British Council UK-Ukraine Partnership Grants Stage 2 project.