If graduate of Presidential University refuses to work in public sector, compensation for training is provided in three times – concept

KYIV. Nov 26 (Interfax-Ukraine) – A graduate of the Presidential University will be able to refuse to work in the public sector after graduating from the university in case of compensation of the tuition fees in three times, the concept of the educational institution provides.

“If the employer is interested in the student, he compensates the training threefold,” the concept of the Presidential University says.

In turn, Deputy Minister of Education and Science of Ukraine Ihor Harbaruk said that this approach is conceptual and, possibly, will be finalized and changed. “This is a conceptual view that exists today […] This norm needs to be improved and legalized […] We do not say that this is a dogma. Perhaps there is another mechanism that will allow all graduates to stay in Ukraine and work for Ukraine,” he said during a press breakfast at the Shevchenko National University of Kyiv on Thursday.

Also, according to the concept of the Presidential University, upon graduation from the university, students will be guaranteed employment in state-owned companies, government agencies, research and scientific institutes. Upon graduation, the student will be required to work in the public sector according to the principle “work as much as you studied.”

According to the deputy minister, the first enrollment to the Presidential University will be 120 students. In the future, from year to year, the enrollment will increase, and the maximum possible number of students is 2,500.

He noted that initially a budgetary form of education was planned at the university, but the Ministry of Education does not exclude that in the future a contractual form of education will be introduced, including for foreign students. At the same time, Harbaruk found it difficult to answer the question, what is the projected cost of training one student per year at the Presidential University.

The Deputy Minister noted that the bill On the Presidential University is currently almost prepared and is in the President’s Office.

As reported, on May 31, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky instructed the Cabinet of Ministers to start preparing a project to create a “Presidential University”.

In June, the Ukrainian government approved the concept for the implementation of the “Presidential University” project, the goal of which is to create a university that combines high-quality education, modern research and innovation through integration with high-level academic science, high-tech companies (concept of the “knowledge triangle”), as a pilot project for providing scientific institutions, government agencies and innovative business with young specialists with a high level of training.

The university plans to train specialists and conduct research in the following areas: information technology, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence; nanotechnology; aerospace technology; energy technologies; biotechnology and health sciences; globalization and international communications. Students of the new university will be able to obtain scientific degrees of bachelor’s, master’s and Ph.D.

It is proposed to place new teaching and laboratory buildings, a research center, a clinic, a business center, social facilities, as well as a recreation and sports area on the territory of the future university.

It is expected that the Presidential University will begin the educational process on October 1, 2023. A complex of construction, organizational and preparatory works has been planned by this date. The construction and commissioning of the second and third stages of the objects of the educational and laboratory building, the apart-hotel for students and teachers will continue in 2024-2025. It is planned to complete the construction of the Presidential University facilities in October 2025.