Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv: Navigating education as a frontline during times of war

Abstract

This study aims to highlight the resilience and innovation of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv (KNU) in the face of internal and external risks, particularly during times of war and political instability. KNU’s commitment to advancing knowledge is evident through its successful maintenance of educational, scientific, and economic activities and its proactive measures to counter propaganda and misinformation. The university has prioritized the psychological and emotional support of its students and staff and has minimized student losses by implementing flexible forms of education and individual counseling. KNU has also strengthened its international partnerships and grant initiatives. Despite significant losses, the university has maintained its material and technical infrastructure by leveraging various funding sources and developing a strategic trajectory toward an entrepreneurial model. KNU’s strategic objectives include transforming the university into the core of innovation clusters, establishing a risk management system, and monitoring the labor market. KNU’s experience could provide valuable insights for other universities facing similar challenges, emphasizing the importance of effective risk management, crisis communication, and psychological support for the academic community. AcknowledgmentThe authors express their gratitude to the Armed Forces of Ukraine for their bravery and resilience in the fight for the country’s freedom and independence against new threats in the 21st century. They also thank the Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv staff for their unwavering commitment, selflessness, and psychological fortitude, enabling maintaining and expanding the university’s resources despite challenging circumstances. Overall, the authors are optimistic about the future and confident in the prospect of victory.

Dynamics of interest in higher education before and during ongoing war: Google Trends Analysis

“…For instance, Kyiv National University (KNU) implemented measures to counter propaganda, provide psychological support, and minimize student losses during the war by offering flexible learning options and individual consultations. The university also strengthened international partnerships and grant initiatives to support its educational activities (Bugrov et al, 2023).…”

Coverage of the Russian armed aggression against Ukraine in scientific works: Bibliometric analysis

“…Dahl East Ukrainian National University and Donetsk National Technical University, which had to change their location twice (Porkuian et al, 2023;Zakharova & Prodanova, 2023); institutions in Chernihiv and Sumy, which worked during terrorist missile bombings and encirclement (Novomlynets et al, 2023;Nifatova et al, 2023;Karpusha et al, 2023); the resistance of the capital's university, which was at the epicenter of terrorist missile attacks several times (Bugrov et al, 2023); aid and volunteering of universities located hundreds of kilometers from the front line (Nestulya et al, 2023;Kaplenko et al, 2023;Tsos et al, 2023); online learning projects acquired during the COVID-restrictions and even more important in wartime (Kuzheliev et al, 2023;Kvyetnyy et al, 2023;Greshta et al, 2023); organizing the work of a scientific library in the front-line Dnipro (Kolesnykova, 2023); acquired by scientists during emigration and continuation of scientific research (Polishchuk et al, 2023), etc. In the article by Petrushenko et al (2023) from this special edition, a bibliometric analysis of publications on the management of higher education institutions in wartime conditions is presented, in which the lack of conceptual studies devoted to the role of universities in the war and post-war reconstruction of the State of Ukraine is noted.…”