Valeriy Kopiyka Takes the Helm
Valeriy Kopiyka has been appointed as the acting rector of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv (KNU) by order of Ukraine's Ministry of Education and Science. This leadership change follows the departure of former rector Volodymyr Bugrov, whose contract ended on April 29.
Born on March 5, 1962, in Kyiv, Kopiyka previously served as director of the Educational and Scientific Institute of International Relations at KNU. He holds a Doctor of Political Science degree (earned in 2004) and a professorship (since 2007). A graduate of Kyiv State University in 1984, he studied at the Faculty of International Relations and International Law. He completed his candidate dissertation in 1990 and his doctoral dissertation in 2004.
Career Path and Research Focus
Kopiyka's academic career at the university began in 1990 as an assistant. He became an associate professor in 1996 and a professor in the Department of International Relations and Foreign Policy in 2007. During this period, he also served as deputy director for academic affairs at the Institute of International Relations, acted as its interim director from 2008 to 2009, and has led the institute since 2009.
Kopiyka has completed internships and delivered lectures at various international institutions, including in Belgium, the United Kingdom, Bulgaria, and Russia. He is fluent in French and has supervised six PhD candidates to completion.
His research interests center on European integration and the foreign policies of Western European countries. His teaching portfolio includes courses on the history of international relations, EU and NATO enlargement issues, international relations and global politics, and the EU's role in world affairs.
The KNU Student Parliament has expressed hope that 'Valeriy Volodymyrovych will restore trust in the University and its role in Ukraine's higher education system, strengthen its authority, and create a qualitatively new educational environment.'
Kopiyka's appointment as acting rector of KNU represents a significant opportunity to rebuild confidence in the institution among both the public and the student body. Given the current challenges facing higher education in Ukraine, the new rector is well-positioned to implement reforms that enhance the quality of teaching and research. His extensive background in international relations may also help the university strengthen its global standing and forge stronger partnerships abroad.
This recent appointment comes in the wake of significant changes at KNU, as the former rector Bugrov was dismissed amid calls for elections and various controversies. For a deeper understanding of the circumstances surrounding Bugrov's removal and the implications for the university's governance, read more about the situation here.