On June 4, 2026, a delegation from Kyiv National University of Technologies and Design participated in the All-Ukrainian dialogue platform “A University Is Its People,” organized by the National Agency for Higher Education Quality Assurance at Lviv Polytechnic National University.
KNUTD was represented at the event by Lyudmyla Hanushchak-Yefimenko, Vice Rector for Research and International Affairs, Doctor of Economics, Professor; Olga Garanina, Head of the Department of Fashion Technology, Doctor of Technical Sciences, Professor; Olena Hryhorivska, Director of the Educational and Methodological Center for Specialist Training Management, Candidate of Economic Sciences, Associate Professor; and Tetiana Molchanova, Head of the Educational and Methodological Department of the Educational and Methodological Center for Specialist Training Management.
The event brought together approximately 400 participants from 118 higher education institutions across Ukraine and served as an important communication platform for discussing strategic issues related to human capital development, the enhancement of higher education quality assurance systems, and the implementation of modern approaches to university governance.
The central theme of the event was the idea that “People Are the University’s Greatest Asset”, a concept that has acquired particular significance for Ukrainian higher education today. It is the faculty members, researchers, students, administrators, and university staff who shape academic culture, ensure the quality of the educational process, drive innovation, and contribute to the future development of the country.
Participants emphasized that, in the context of wartime challenges, ongoing societal transformations, and Ukraine’s European integration, particular attention should be given to the professional development of academic staff, the formation of effective university teams, the promotion of academic leadership, and the creation of conditions that enable every employee to realize their full potential.
The programme of the platform, entitled “Current Challenges and New Approaches”, featured three strategically important panel discussions.
“People at the Centre of University Strategy: Policies for Recruitment, Evaluation, and Recognition”
The discussion highlighted the need to:
Participants unanimously endorsed the fundamental principle that people are the university’s most valuable resource.
“Modernizing the Criteria for Assessing Faculty Qualifications: External Evaluation”
During this expert panel, participants discussed new approaches to the evaluation of academic and teaching staff. The following were identified as key competencies of a contemporary university educator:
The discussion emphasized that these competencies are becoming increasingly important in ensuring the quality, relevance, and competitiveness of higher education in a rapidly changing academic and societal environment.
“Motivation, Support, and Professional Development: Do Higher Education Institutions Really Influence Team Quality?”
The third panel focused on mechanisms for developing and strengthening the human capital of universities. Participants emphasized that a modern higher education institution should not only evaluate faculty performance but also create favourable conditions for the professional and personal development of its staff.
Particular attention was given to:
The discussion underscored that these factors play a crucial role in building a strong, resilient, and high-performing academic community capable of responding effectively to contemporary challenges and advancing institutional excellence.
Special attention was given to the importance of shifting from a formalized approach to human resource management toward a people-centred model of university community development, one that prioritizes individual potential, engagement, and professional growth.
For the Kyiv National University of Technologies and Design, participation in the platform represented an important step in the ongoing enhancement of its internal quality assurance system and the development of its human capital. The event provided an opportunity to:
The outcomes and insights gained during the platform will serve as an important foundation for the further improvement of KNUTD’s human resource policies, the development of its corporate culture, the promotion of academic leadership, and the strengthening of a people-centred approach across the University’s educational, research, and managerial activities.
Today, as Ukraine defends its independence while simultaneously building its European future, universities have a particularly important role to play. They are the institutions that educate and inspire a new generation of professionals, researchers, engineers, designers, managers, and citizens who will contribute to the country’s reconstruction and development after Victory.
The All-Ukrainian Dialogue Platform “A University Is Its People” once again reaffirmed a fundamental truth: the greatest strength of any higher education institution lies in its people—their professionalism, responsibility, creativity, patriotism, and dedication to their work.
The Kyiv National University of Technologies and Design will continue to actively contribute to the development of Ukraine’s modern educational landscape, implement best practices in human capital management, and pursue continuous improvements in educational quality for the benefit of the University, society, and the nation as a whole.
By investing in people, we invest in the future of Ukraine.
Together toward Victory. Together toward Ukraine’s recovery and sustainable development.
10.06.2026
