National Forum 'Science and Scientists on Ukraine’s Frontline'
Around 100 participants, including university leaders, government officials, researchers, and early-career scientists, gathered in Kharkiv for the National Forum 'Science and Scientists on Ukraine’s Frontline: Present and Future.' Organized by the Association of Frontline Cities and Communities in partnership with the Kharkiv City Council, the event focused on how science and universities can drive Ukraine’s recovery after the war, strengthen local communities, and shape a forward-looking economy.
Key Speeches at the Forum
Ihor Terekhov, head of the Association of Frontline Cities and Communities and Mayor of Kharkiv, stressed that the goal is not just to rebuild what was destroyed but to create a country better than it was before the war.
“To achieve this, universities and research institutions must not only take part in reconstruction—they need to become its architects and primary think tanks. These are the places where solutions for the country’s development over the next decades should be born: from new technologies and modern engineering to training specialists for the economy of the future,” Terekhov said.
He further warned that if Ukraine merely restores damaged infrastructure after the war without changing its economic model, it 'risks remaining dependent on raw material exports and imports of high-tech products.' According to Terekhov, reconstruction must serve as a transition to an economy based on knowledge, engineering, innovation, and high added value.
Serhiy Babak, chair of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Education, Science, and Innovation, also shared his perspective, stating that
“our task as a state, educators, and scientists is to do everything possible for the next generation.”He emphasized that universities and research institutions must evolve into innovation hubs that help propel the country forward.
Volodymyr Ponomarenko, head of the Union of Rectors of Higher Education Institutions in Kharkiv Region, highlighted the importance of retaining young people in the regions: “The war will end. But we must already think today about who will live in our cities, who will pursue science, work, start families, and develop communities.”
Ruslan Zaporozhchenko, head of the Council of Young Scientists at V.N. Karazin Kharkiv National University, focused on the need for frontline universities to adapt and transform. “Today, we must talk more and more about adaptation, transformation, and new approaches to developing science,” he said. Zaporozhchenko also pointed to new opportunities for international collaboration and academic mobility that have emerged during the war.
Closing the forum, Ihor Terekhov underscored that “it is not enough to simply build new university walls. What matters is that within those walls, new knowledge, new technologies, new personnel, and new solutions for the country are born.” According to him, this is what shapes Ukraine’s future.
The forum highlighted the critical role of science and education in Ukraine’s post-war recovery. Participants stressed the need not only to rebuild damaged infrastructure but also to transform the country’s economic model through innovation and new technologies. Retaining young talent and adapting universities to changing conditions were also key discussion points, as these factors will significantly influence the future of regions and the nation as a whole.
As the discussion on the future of education in Ukraine continues, recent statements by the Education Minister highlight the challenges facing students amid ongoing uncertainties. For more insights into how these developments impact student mobility and the educational landscape, see the latest updates on the current situation regarding student migration.