- Thursday, May 1, 2025
On April 29–30, 2025, Yuriy Fedkovych Chernivtsi National University hosted a nationwide roundtable discussion titled “Redesigning the System for Quality Assurance in Higher Education”, organized by the National Agency for Higher Education Quality Assurance (NAQA).
The event brought together key voices in higher education — NAQA members, university rectors and vice-rectors from across Ukraine, experts, and student representatives — for an open and constructive conversation on how to improve the quality of higher education in the country.
Before the discussion began, participants observed a moment of silence to honor the memory of those who lost their lives in the Russian-Ukrainian war and to pay tribute to all defenders of Ukraine who gave their lives for the nation’s freedom, independence, and dignity.
The roundtable focused on key directions for modernizing the external quality assurance system — including an updated conceptual framework, the future of institutional accreditation, and the development of a network of independent quality assurance agencies as a vital component of the new system architecture.
Speakers included:
• Andriy Butenko, Head of NAQA
• Mykhailo Vynnytskyi, Deputy Minister of Education and Science of Ukraine
• Ruslan Biloskurskyi, Rector of Yuriy Fedkovych Chernivtsi National University
• Nataliia Stukalo, Deputy Head of NAQA
• Olena Yeremenko, Deputy Head of NAQA
• Oleksandr Khymenko, Head of the NAQA Secretariat
• Heorhii Lopatenko, Deputy Chair of Sectoral Expert Council 01, Dean of the Faculty of Health, Physical Education and Sports, Borys Grinchenko Kyiv Metropolitan University
• Tetiana Frolova, Head of the Quality Assurance and Accreditation Department, Vadym Hetman Kyiv National Economic University
• Nadiia Kovalchuk, First Vice-Rector, Lutsk National Technical University
• Bohdan Morklianyk, Deputy Head of NAQA
• Yurii Balaniuk, Head of the National Qualifications Agency
• Taras Finikov, President of the International Fund for Education Policy Research
They were joined by rectors and vice-rectors from leading Ukrainian universities, researchers, analysts, and education professionals.
The event featured two main panel discussions:
• “Institutional Accreditation as a Core Element of External Quality Assurance in Ukraine”
• “An Effective Model for Higher Education Quality Assurance in Ukraine”
The roundtable clearly emphasized the importance of collaboration between public institutions, the academic community, and independent experts in building a modern, resilient quality assurance system. A system that promotes university autonomy, academic integrity, and accountability to society.
As part of the program, participants toured the Residence of the Bukovinian and Dalmatian Metropolitans — a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the university’s main building. Guests also enjoyed a sightseeing tour of Chernivtsi, offering deeper insight into the city’s rich history, culture, and academic traditions.
Yuriy Fedkovych Chernivtsi National University extends sincere thanks to all participants for joining this important dialogue — and welcomes continued cooperation in shaping a high-quality educational environment in Ukraine.
A heartfelt salute and deep gratitude to the Armed Forces of Ukraine for making it possible to live, learn, and build the future of Ukrainian education.
