Meeting Between USUST Leadership and Student Government
On February 27, 2025, an informal meeting took place between the leadership of the Ukrainian State University of Science and Technologies and the USUST Student Government. The meeting was initiated by the university’s rector, Prof. Kostiantyn Sukhyi, who engaged in an open dialogue and answered numerous student questions. The discussion included the USUST Student Council, led by its chairman, Veli Bekirov, as well as the student councils of all the university’s Scientific and Educational Institutes.
The event, held in the Academic Council Hall of the SEI PSACEA, was moderated by the Vice-Rector for Educational and Humanitarian Policy at USUST, Doctor of Public Administration, Prof. Halyna Yevsieieva, and the Director of SEI PSACEA, Prof. Vladyslav Danishevskyi. The conversation also involved directors and deputy directors of SEI USUCT, SEI DMETI, SEI DIIT, and SEI PSACEA, trade union representatives, members of the USUST Department of Student Educational Work, and other university personnel.
Students were particularly concerned about the conditions in university dormitories. Prof. Sukhyi assured the student government that the university administration is doing everything possible—even under wartime conditions—to maintain the dormitories in a satisfactory state. He explained:
“We strive to keep them in good condition. Refugees are also accommodated in our dormitories, and we must provide them with support. Over the past year, we have installed over a thousand windows that were shattered at the beginning of the war. Various funds helped us address this issue. We will continue to maintain engineering communications in proper condition. Regarding the overall improvement of dormitories and the university, we will continue organizing Environmental Days, which have already become a tradition at our university.”
Students raised concerns about the fairness of scholarship allocation, noting that highly active students with almost perfect grades sometimes do not receive increased scholarships. In response, the rector clarified that scholarship distribution is strictly based on ranking lists in accordance with the official regulations set by the Ministry of Education of Ukraine. He added that students do receive bonuses for community activities:
“The scholarship allocation regulations are approved by the University Academic Council, which includes student representatives. Therefore, this matter can be discussed and refined further.”
Another important topic was the availability of grants for education. This year, as an experiment, the Ministry of Education of Ukraine is introducing state-funded grants for students. Depending on their National Multi-Subject Test results, students can receive grants ranging from 15,000 to 25,000 UAH for their education. At USUST, 40 students were awarded grants, the majority of whom are from SEI PSACEA. The Ministry has already transferred the first semester’s funds to these 40 students.
The meeting lasted nearly two hours, covering a wide range of student concerns, including:
- The organization of the academic process
- The transition timeline to a blended learning format
- The necessity of military training for graduation
- Adjustments to the schedules of French language groups and curriculum modifications
Prof. Sukhyi also addressed student inquiries about the relevance of certain academic disciplines:
“There are no ‘unnecessary’ subjects. All courses are carefully balanced within the curriculum. For instance, life safety is a crucial subject for construction students because lives on a construction site depend on this knowledge! Physical education is also vital for young people’s fitness. We have sports complexes, swimming pools, and gyms that should be used for physical activities. As for sociology, political science, and religious studies, these subjects shape responsible citizens! They help you understand global history and develop as young professionals.”
At the end of the meeting, the rector expressed hope for continued collaboration with the student government:“Your active involvement will always be beneficial to you. We, the university administration and the entire academic personnel, are committed to creating conditions where you can acquire high-quality knowledge and skills, enjoy your studies and student life, and we sincerely hope that our efforts are not in vain.”
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