Estonian–Ukrainian project to modernise personnel policy in higher education launches in Kyiv

On 12 September, Mariupol State University in Kyiv hosted the opening of the Estonian–Ukrainian project “Enforcing the Ukrainian higher education reform with a focus on modernizing and implementing personnel policy.” Newly appointed Deputy Minister of Education and Science of Ukraine Mykola Trofymenko thanked Estonia for its steadfast support and announced the launch of a joint initiative aimed at strengthening the capacity of Ukrainian universities and updating policies for academic staff, including approaches to management and transparent university governance.

My sincere thanks to Estonia for its solidarity and all the efforts the Estonian Government is making to support Ukraine. Today we launch a new project designed to support Ukraine’s entire higher-education system,

The opening also marked Deputy Minister Trofymenko’s first working day in office. The event brought together representatives of Estonia and Ukraine, including Liina Kersna, Chair of the Cultural Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu; Triin Laasi-Õige, Secretary General of the Ministry of Education and Research (Estonia); Jaak Aaviksoo, Member of the Estonian Academy of Sciences and lead expert of the project; Kristi Kulu, Programme Manager at the Estonian Centre for International Development (ESTDEV); and others. From the Ukrainian side, leaders and experts of the higher-education system took part.

The project is implemented by an Estonian consortium led by the University of Tartu, in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Research (Estonia), Universities Estonia, and the Estonian Centre for International Development (ESTDEV). The initiative provides:

• mentoring, training, and consultation for Ukrainian partners;
• analyses and policy recommendations to update regulations on academic staff;
• development programmes for university leaders and staff.

The Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine underscores that modernising personnel and governance policy in higher education is among its priorities and aligns directly with the Ministry’s Strategic Plan through 2027, including the renewal of principles for recruiting and training staff and managers at all levels, as well as the goals of European integration and education diplomacy.

Strengthening university governance and transparency was a special focus of the opening. Against the backdrop of the ongoing challenges of the full-scale war—from university relocations to damage to educational infrastructure—the Ministry continues to expand international partnerships to maintain continuity in higher-education operations and reinforce institutional resilience.