New Leadership at Kyiv University of Culture and Arts
Kyiv National University of Culture and Arts (KNUKiM) has a new acting president. The appointment of Professor Ihor Komarnytskyi, from the department of hotel, restaurant, and tourism business, was made by order of Ukraine's Minister of Education and Science, Oksen Lisovyi. He replaces 76-year-old Mykhailo Poplavskyi in the role. This change in leadership comes as Ukrainian universities continue to navigate post-reform challenges and adapt to modern educational demands.
Mykhailo Poplavskyi led the institution for extended periods, first from 1995 to 2014 and again from 2021. Under his tenure, the institute gained university status, launched doctoral programs, and expanded its range of specializations. Poplavskyi also has political experience, having served as a member of parliament in the 4th, 7th, and 8th convocations. However, in 2015, the Verkhovna Rada passed amendments to the law on higher education that barred MPs who voted for the so-called 'dictatorship laws' on January 16, 2014, from being appointed as rectors. Poplavskyi voted for those laws, but this restriction was overturned by the Constitutional Court in 2017. Since 2015, the head of KNUKiM has held the title of president.
Profile of the New Acting President
The new acting president, Ihor Komarnytskyi, holds a Candidate of Sciences degree in Culturology and is the former dean of the faculty of hotel, restaurant, and tourism business at KNUKiM. He is also known as a co-founder and manager of the 'Karavan Plus' tourism company. The company's registered address is in the village of Mechyslavka, Kirovohrad region, which is also the hometown of Mykhailo Poplavskyi. Furthermore, Komarnytskyi is active in politics, heading the Kyiv regional city organization of the Agrarian Party of Ukraine. In the 2019 parliamentary elections, Mykhailo Poplavskyi headed that party's electoral list, which failed to cross the threshold to enter parliament.
Elections for the university's permanent head are scheduled to take place in the near future. Mykhailo Poplavskyi has already announced his intention to run for the position again.
"To leave the stage on time to applause," he remarked, hinting at the possibility of his return to the university's leadership.
This leadership transition at KNUKiM may signal the university's desire for renewal and adaptation to contemporary requirements in Ukrainian higher education. With his background in the hospitality industry and active political role, Ihor Komarnytskyi could bring a fresh perspective to the university's development. The upcoming election will be a crucial step in determining KNUKiM's future strategy, offering an opportunity for new leadership to implement its vision. At the same time, a potential return of Mykhailo Poplavskyi could preserve institutional traditions and continue the reforms he initiated.