From Grants to Blockchain Diplomas: Ukraine’s Education Trends

Revisions to PhD Admission Policies and the Awarding of State Grants

Over the past year, there has been a sharp increase in interest in PhD programs, particularly among men. According to the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, the number of PhD applicants was around 7,000-8,000 up until 2022, but this number has now risen to over 246,000. Of these, more than 90,000 are men holding master's or specialist degrees. This significant demand among men led the Ministry to revise the admission rules for the third level of higher education this year. Notably, in 2024, full-time contract-based admissions were abolished, and the rules for reinstatement in PhD programs were clarified.

From 2024 onward, PhD admissions in Ukraine will be conducted exclusively through state orders. The Minister of Education and Science, Oksen Lisovyi, highlighted that the main focus will be on improving education quality, which is why full-time studies will be prioritized. To provide access to PhD programs for all motivated candidates, the number of state-funded places will be increased from 3,200 to 7,000. However, part-time and evening PhD programs will still be available, but students in these forms will lose the right to deferment from military mobilization.

In May 2024, the new law “On Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts of Ukraine Regarding Military Service, Mobilization, and Military Registration” took effect, modifying the procedure for granting deferment from mobilization. Now, only students who are pursuing their first higher education degree after college or high school are eligible for deferment. Those obtaining a second degree at the same level will no longer receive deferment. Oksen Lisovyi remarked that the education system needs to eliminate the practice of sham enrollment, which damages both education quality and national security.

The fact that the education system became a ‘loophole' for draft dodging indicates its deterioration. This is exactly why we’ve started its comprehensive overhaul. The quality of education and the values instilled by this system are crucial

Lisovyi states.

This year, Ukraine has enacted a major higher education reform that will provide students with grants for their studies. Deputy Minister of Education and Science Mykhailo Vynnytskyi remarked that this reform is key to helping Ukrainian universities compete with European institutions after Ukraine's integration into the EU. The grants will offer non-repayable funding to cover either the full or partial cost of a student's education.

The Ministry of Education and Science clarifies that in the past, only 40% of students received full state funding for their education. But with the new grant system, 70% of applicants can now expect full or partial coverage of their tuition fees. In most cases, the funding will cover a portion of the costs, with the remainder to be paid by the student, either independently or through a preferential loan.

The new bill stipulates that 60,000 students will receive grants in 2024, constituting half of the planned number. These grants will be allocated for one academic year with a fixed monetary amount, adjusted for inflation, and their size will vary based on the applicant's competitive score and chosen specialty, making each grant unique.

IT Education in Ukraine: From Blockchain to Robotics and Beyond 

In recent years, Ukraine solidified its position as a significant player in the IT industry, thanks to the rapid expansion of this sector. Ukrainian experts, known for their high level of expertise, are creating new products and projects that boost the country's competitiveness on the global stage. The Ukrainian IT community serves as a center for innovation and technological breakthroughs, driving the development of new ideas, projects, and startups. Many of these initiatives aim to tackle current challenges such as cybersecurity, FinTech, military technologies, and more. Military technologies, in particular, are in high demand as unmanned, computerized, and robotic systems gain increasing importance on the battlefield.

In light of these trends, Andriy Hlybovets, Dean of the Faculty of Сomputer Science at NaUKMA, shared in an interview with ICTV about the launch of a new robotics program this year. He expressed his hope that this field would attract many new students. Additionally, students from other areas such as engineering, software development, and computer science have shown a strong interest in robotics. Hlybovets emphasized that, given the needs of the market and the military, special focus will be placed on developing educational programs in blockchain technologies and cybersecurity.

The Kyiv-Mohyla Academy provides another example by constantly updating its educational programs to reflect contemporary trends and the country’s demands. A year ago, in partnership with WhiteBIT, they launched the first certificate program in blockchain technologies, and its second iteration will begin in September 2024. Students in this program have the chance to explore disciplines like:

• Cryptography in Blockchain Technologies;
• Distributed Algorithms for Cryptocurrency Exchange Using Smart Contracts (DeFi);
• Smart Contract Development;
• Technical Instruments for Cryptocurrency Market Regulations.

Introduction of the First Tokenized Certificates on the Whitechain Blockchain

The master's program at Kyiv-Mohyla Academy's Faculty of Computer Science recently concluded, and for the first time in Ukraine's higher education history, graduates received tokenized certificates on the Whitechain blockchain. These certificates ensure the authenticity of traditional diplomas and eliminate the risk of future transfer or forgery. Given today's challenges, this is a significant step for graduates, as blockchain technology ensures a simplified process for recovering documents in the event of loss..

Final Thoughts

The higher education system in Ukraine is undergoing a critical reform phase, unlocking new possibilities for students and researchers. The changes in PhD admission rules, the introduction of new state-funded education grants, and the advancement of the IT industry all indicate significant transformations designed to enhance education quality and meet contemporary challenges. Even in the face of difficulties, Ukrainian universities are demonstrating their ability to adapt and innovate, solidifying their status as a key driver of national progress.