Quality education

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Preparation of graduates ready to engage in teaching activities

TSATU provides training for specialists qualified to engage in teaching activities, thereby contributing to the development of the educational sector. In 2024, the total number of TSATU graduates amounted to 1,172 individuals. A bachelor’s degree was awarded to 576 students, including 417 full-time and 159 part-time learners. A master’s degree was awarded to 596 students, of whom 451 were full-time and 145 part-time.

According to Part 1 of Article 22 of the Law of Ukraine “On Complete General Secondary Education”, teaching positions are open to individuals who hold a higher education degree and are proficient in the state language. Under the master’s degree programs “Agroengineering” and “Geodesy and Land Management”, as well as under educational and research programs (PhD level), 111 graduates of 2024 acquired the necessary professional competencies granting them the right to teach in educational institutions. In addition, pedagogical competencies and the right to teach are also obtained by learners in several educational programs:

  • Second (Master’s) level of higher education (2 programs): “Agroengineering”, “Geodesy and Land Management”;
  • Third (Educational and Scientific, PhD) level of higher education (9 programs): “Vocational Education”, “Economics”, “Finance, Banking and Insurance”, “Marketing”, “Entrepreneurship, Trade and Exchange Activities”, “Industrial Engineering”, “Electric Power Engineering, Electrical Engineering and Electromechanics”, “Food Technologies”, and “Agronomy”.

Lifelong learning

TSATU supports the concept of lifelong learning and ensures equal access to knowledge for the general public. The university demonstrates active engagement in promoting access to education, professional development, and capacity building for various groups, including teachers, students, agricultural workers, and internally displaced persons (IDPs).

TSATU provides free access to its educational resources for individuals who are not enrolled at the university (repositories, webinars, methodological materials) for an external audience, thereby contributing to knowledge dissemination and inclusive, quality education. The university ensures open access to educational and expert content through three main directions: open scientific platforms, targeted educational events for the public, and dissemination of expert knowledge.

  1. Creation and dissemination of open scientific data (OAR).

The university library provides access to information and resources essential for research and knowledge dissemination, serving as an information center to promote sustainable practices within and beyond the university. TSATU offers free online access to educational resources for non-enrolled users through the institutional repository – the university’s electronic archive ElarTSATU, available via the website “TSATU Scientific Library”. The institutional repository ElarTSATU is ranked in the Webometrics “TRANSPARENT RANKING” (32nd place). Over more than 10 years of operation, the ElarTSATU repository has created 22 fund collections and 61 archives, totaling 18,700 documents indexed in Google Scholar. The library also presents research by university scholars on the SDGs and has compiled the bibliographic index “Sustainable Development Goals: Contribution of TSATU Scholars to Their Implementation”, a two-part publication with over 530 documents (Part 1 and Part 2).

The university develops resources and provides open access to the results of its research, thus contributing to the global exchange of knowledge:

  1. Targeted educational events for the public in 2024 opened new opportunities for various categories of interested participants:

The university implements educational initiatives specially adapted to the needs of the community and vulnerable groups, including internally displaced persons (IDPs):

  • It promotes a barrier-free information space for IDPs by producing adaptive communication materials (in Braille) free of charge for visually impaired IDPs who are not TSATU students.
  • It conducted a stress resilience and first psychological aid workshop (in partnership with NGO “Strong Ukraine” and UN Women) for groups of women and girls, and the training therapy “A Thousand Days of Mental Health. Resilience” (with NGO “SpivDiia”). These activities provided free access to educational support for interested community members.
  • TSATU trains first aid techniques; student Kateryna Vlasik, a volunteer of the Red Cross, organizes interactive training sessions and workshops on first aid for children, spreading vital life-saving knowledge within the community.
  1. Dissemination of Expert Knowledge and Tools

TSATU utilizes media platforms and cooperation with state institutions to provide free dissemination of up-to-date knowledge and tools in the public domain. In 2024, several such events took place:

  • TSATU lecturer Denys Katykha gave an interview for Ukrainian Radio, where he highlighted important topics such as volunteering, the challenges of relocated businesses, prospects for regional development, and the role of tourism — providing free expert analysis to a wide audience.
  • Students majoring in “Ecology” held a discussion with the State Environmental Inspectorate of the Southern District on the use of the web resource “EcoThreat” and the involvement of public inspectors. This ensures free access to environmental monitoring tools and knowledge for the general public.
  • TSATU lecturers participated as jury members in the All-Ukrainian Essay Competition “My Shevchenko” and the event “Integrity in Learning”, which serve as forms of free provision of high-quality expert evaluation (reviewing) for the works of school and university students from all over Ukraine.
  • Head of the Department of Computer Science, Serhii Sharov, was invited to join the jury of the 20th All-Ukrainian Tournament of Young Informatics, aimed at developing gifted youth. The tournament was made possible through cooperation between TSATU, Pavlo Tychyna Uman State Pedagogical University, the State Scientific Institution “Institute for the Modernization of Educational Content”, and the National Center “Minor Academy of Sciences of Ukraine”. This demonstrates the engagement of TSATU’s academic expertise.
  • TSATU Student Language Ombudsman, Vlada Shmalii, represented the interests of the student community during the All-Ukrainian Round Table “Language Issues in the Educational Process in Ukraine: Youth Perspectives” – a public platform where participants discussed the development of speech culture in Ukraine, possible ways to improve language proficiency, and communication culture in educational institutions.

In 2024, a number of public educational events (lifelong learning activities) were organized at the university, open to the general public:

  1. International scientific and educational platforms: TSATU co-organized the 2nd International Scientific and Practical Conference “Globalization and Development of Innovation Systems: Trends, Challenges, and Prospects”, which brought together over 200 scholars from six countries and ensured free access to new scientific data and innovative solutions in the fields of economics, industry, and innovation. In addition, a TDATU student served as a speaker during the International Winter School “Sustainable Development and ESG: Global Challenges, National Priorities, Effective Solutions” (Kazakhstan).
  2. Educational outreach in secondary schools of Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, and Donetsk regions. Most of these territories are under Russian occupation or located along the frontline. Under such conditions, providing essential information to future graduates about their opportunities to continue higher education gains particular social significance. TSATU organizes targeted activities for school students and prospective applicants, which are an important component of lifelong learning:
  • Regional online competition “Environmental Safety”, open to students in grades 9–11, which served as both a career orientation event and a means to promote environmental awareness among the youth of the region.
  • Regular online “Open Days” on the Zoom platform provide access to information about educational programs, admission conditions, and the advantages of studying at TDATU for all interested individuals, including parents and college graduates. In 2024, the event was held in the format of an Applicants’ Festival “Abit Fest”.
  • A series of debate sessions were held by university lecturers for school youth, covering current and relevant topics such as: Higher Education Abroad and in Ukraine; Artificial Intelligence – Panacea or Threat?; Can Youth Change the World?; Equality Between Boys and Girls; Soft vs. Hard Skills – Which Are More Important for a Successful Career?; Vegetarianism – Benefit or Harm?
  • Workshops at the Social Protection Center were conducted for students from displaced families from Melitopol, introducing them to modern professions. Topics of career guidance trainings and workshops included: “Food Workshop: Personal Diet Training,” “Marketing to Your Taste,” “Trendy Gardening,” “I Manage the Community,” “The Energy Sector – the Future of Ukraine,” “Physics Made Easy,” “My Business in Engineering.” (p. 71 of the Rector’s Report for 2024).
  • At the initiative of the Department of Education and Science of the Zaporizhzhia Regional Military Administration, a specialized exhibition of higher education institutions in the region –“Plan Your Future Today: Educational Highway in Zaporizhzhia” — took place with the participation of TDATU lecturers (p. 72 of the Rector’s Report for 2024).
  • Workshop “Leaders of Ideas: A Second Wind” was held for young people who are not TDATU students. The event aims to develop youth project management skills, creative thinking, and involvement in addressing current community and regional issues. The workshop is supported by the university administration and local authorities. Mentoring teams consist of TDATU lecturers and students, participating voluntarily on a non-profit basis. The workshop is conducted in a mixed format, combining offline and online participation, thus expanding access for young people from remote areas.

TDATU acts as a regional center for professional development and organizes vocational and technical training events.

TSATU serves as a regional professional development center, organizing vocational and technical training activities (lifelong learning), short-term courses, workshops, and professional training programs open to the general public – including specialists, business representatives, local government officials, and farmers. The university actively cooperates with the agribusiness sector and individual farmers, providing access to current knowledge and innovative technologies.

As part of the “Agrokebety” Project, a series of open meetings and lectures was held with an expert from PÖTTINGER Ukraine LLC and project ideologist Alex Lissitsa (CEO of IMC). Participants discussed innovations in soil cultivation, EU agricultural policy, and the European Green Deal. These events were open to a broad audience of agricultural professionals and stakeholders.

Participation in the international training program “Diversification of the Rural Economy through the Network of Community Tourism Advisory Centers” (Estonia) enabled open seminars for local residents and entrepreneurs, offering practical advice on new economic opportunities in rural tourism.

TSATU also takes part in cross-sectoral dialogues that serve as a form of professional learning for entrepreneurs and civil society organizations. For instance, the university contributed to disseminating critical information among students and business partners during the “Zaporizhzhia. Business New Ways 2024” event organized by the Zaporizhzhia Chamber of Commerce and Industry, where tools and grant programs supporting export-oriented businesses were discussed.

Training for SMEs and business associations was also conducted through TSATU’s participation in the UNDP Project “Strengthening Member-Based Business Associations of SMEs in Ukraine”, focusing on SME support policies, infrastructure development, and innovation stimulation.

The university also acts as an educational partner for local administrations, strengthening their managerial and professional capacity. Cooperation was established with the Andriivska Village Military Administration to facilitate two-way knowledge exchange – where TSATU lecturers gain practical experience, and local authorities receive expert consultations. This cooperation functions as a form of professional training for local officials.

TSATU organized open professional development programs “TechnoMay-2024” (topic: Modern Engineering) and “NoveFood-2024” (topic: Innovative Technologies in the Food Industry) in partnership with five other universities. These programs offered opportunities for broad public participation, providing 60-hour (2 ECTS credits) upskilling modules.

  • The “TechnoMay-2024” program trained 168 participants through 10 seminars addressing current issues in modern engineering development.
  • The “NoveFood-2024” program trained 213 participants through 10 seminars dedicated to current trends in food technologies and production.

Specialized IT training for lecturers enhanced digital and professional competencies through the course “3D Modeling in Autodesk Inventor”, implemented via the DigiTech Project (USAID, IREX) in partnership with the Zaporizhzhia Public Organization “Agro-Tavria Information and Consultation Center”  a direct form of vocational and technical education.

Within the Higher School of Pedagogical Mastery, a large-scale program was conducted in 2024 “Language Arsenal: The Ukrainian Language as a Marker of National Identity – From Traditions to Modernity”, including an online training “Modern Ukrainian Language in Everyday and Professional Communication” and practicums under the module “Communicative Modes of the Ukrainian Language Functioning”. Additionally, a series of seminars was held within the “Visiting Professor” Program, including 5 seminars in the first half and 11 in the second half of 2024 – a total of 16 seminars on relevant professional topics:

Conducting open programs in online format significantly increased accessibility for participants and demonstrated the resilience of the educational process under high geopolitical risks.

In total, 1,197 participants received professional development certificates upon completing short-term vocational training programs in 2024. The Institute of Professional Development of TSATU also ensures the professional development of teachers of relocated colleges by organizing their internships at the university departments. This year 122 college teachers adopted the experience of TSATU teachers in implementing educational activities, theoretical and practical training of applicants in distance learning conditions.

Educational Activities Beyond Campus

TSATU conducts educational activities beyond its campus with the aim of sharing knowledge, expertise, and support within local communities, schools, and partner institutions through direct collaboration, lectures, and educational demonstrations. University lecturers and representatives actively cooperate with schools and colleges to integrate academic knowledge into secondary and vocational education processes.

In particular, TSATU organized career guidance meetings and educational activities at the Melitopol Academic Lyceum “Creativity”, which included presentations of university programs, demonstrations of innovative developments, and discussions of learning benefits – serving as a direct example of integrating university knowledge into the school environment.

Regular working meetings and outreach activities with the College of Economics and Management on admission conditions and specifics of the “Management” specialty perform an educational advisory function held within a partner institution.

An example of international educational activity beyond campus that promotes Ukrainian expertise in sustainable development is a series of lectures delivered by Associate Professor Ihor Aksyonov for students of K. Dosmukhamedov Atyrau State University (Kazakhstan).

TSATU also acts as a partner in socially oriented programs aimed at strengthening community resilience. The university initiates and hosts training sessions and workshops on psychological resilience and first aid, conducted jointly with NGOs and international partners. These events were open to the general public, particularly women and girls, as a means of promoting mental health and psychosocial support.

TSATU students also participated in organizing a Job Fair for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the Zaporizhzhia region, providing educational consultations and access to employment opportunities.

University volunteers and specialists regularly go out into the community to conduct socially significant educational events. For instance, student Kateryna Vlasik, an active volunteer with the Red Cross, organizes interactive training sessions and first aid workshops for children. Such life-saving education takes place in community centers and partner institutions (schools, children’s centers).

University lecturers systematically organize educational, career guidance, and social adaptation activities for IDP schoolchildren from Melitopol who are temporarily residing in Zaporizhzhia, supporting their integration during wartime.

One notable event was the training session “Marketing to Your Taste”, designed to introduce students in grades 6–11 to modern marketing concepts through an interactive “Guess the Brand” game and product tasting. Such participation helps children adapt and socialize under the challenging conditions of displacement.

Additionally, a hands-on workshop “Horticulture to Your Taste” was held for children, featuring tasting of various apple varieties grown in the Zaporizhzhia region in the form of an interactive game.

The workshop “One Day as a President” introduced high school students to the principles of public administration and leadership.

Lecturers of the Department of Higher Mathematics and Physics conducted the outreach event “Physics Made Easy” for students of grades 8–9, aimed at popularizing physics among youth.

During April-May 2024, TSATU, supported by the Zaporizhzhia Regional Territorial Communities (OTG), organized a series of online debates for school students from Melitopol and surrounding districts (Vasylivka, Veselye, and Enerhodar). A total of 10 teams with 80 participants took part in these debates. Through the discussion of socially important topics, students developed critical thinking, public speaking, and civic engagement skills, contributing directly to Quality Education (SDG 4) and the formation of active citizenship among youth.

Policy on access to lifelong learning

Policy: Ensuring access to lifelong learning opportunities for all, regardless of ethnicity, religion, disability, immigration status, or gender.

TSATU has implemented targeted programs to ensure equal access for persons with disabilities and internally displaced persons (IDPs), confirming the university’s practical inclusive policy. Lifelong learning is directly carried out by institutional units such as the Institute of Advanced Training and the Higher School of Pedagogical Mastery.

According to the adopted policy, the university declares and guarantees that lifelong learning is a conceptually important strategic direction of its activity, which provides equal opportunities for all individuals to access new ideas, solutions, knowledge, and skills, and to realize their potential – regardless of age, location, time, or circumstances.

The TSATU Development Strategy 2023-2030 identifies the strategic goal “C1. Formation of an academic environment ensuring access to quality lifelong education.” Unrestricted access is provided to non-formal education platforms, opportunities for professional development, and satisfaction of individual educational needs for diverse population groups – irrespective of nationality, religion, migration status, gender, or health condition. An open-access electronic catalog of massive online courses (MOOCs) has been developed and published to support this objective.

Access to the university’s public educational events is guaranteed to all individuals without discrimination, as regulated by the Regulations on the Organization of the Educational Process at TSATU, approved by the Academic Council of TSATU on June 19, 2024.

Paragraph 2.3 (pp. 3–4) of the Regulations enshrines key principles such as openness, accessibility, humanism, democracy, priority of universal spiritual values, and national orientation. The university ensures the preservation and enhancement of moral, cultural, patriotic, and scientific values, promotes knowledge dissemination, raises citizens’ educational and cultural levels, and creates conditions for quality education for persons with disabilities, orphans, and children deprived of parental care.

TSATU adheres to the Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) policy framework in accordance with the following internal documents:

  • Gender Equality Plan (2023–2026);
  • Policy on Combating Human Trafficking and Forced Labour;
  • Policy on the Prevention of Sexual Harassment and Misconduct in the Workplace;
  • Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Policy;
  • Policy on the Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA Policy).

The 2024 Admission Campaign was conducted in accordance with the Rules of Admission to Higher Education Institutions developed under the Regulations on Admission for Higher Education in 2024. In 2024, 2,345 applicants were admitted to the university. The results of the admission campaign are reflected in the Rector’s Annual Report (pp. 75–76).

At the Bachelor’s level, 1,720 students were enrolled:

  • Full-time studies – 1,418 students (including 735 on state-funded places and 683 on a contract basis);
  • Part-time studies – 302 students (including 119 on state-funded places and 183 on a contract basis).

Among those admitted based on complete secondary education:

  • Full-time – 777 students (including 330 state-funded);
  • Part-time – 142 students (including 61 state-funded).

Admissions from professional pre-higher education institutions were carried out for the first year with reduced study duration:

  • Full-time – 641 students (including 405 state-funded);
  • Part-time – 160 students (including 58 state-funded).

At the Master’s level, 625 students were admitted:

  • Full-time – 485 students (including 317 state-funded and 168 on a contract basis);
  • Part-time – 140 students (including 37 state-funded and 103 on a contract basis).

The largest number of applicants were enrolled in the following specialties: “Agroengineering,” “Agronomy,” “Electric Power Engineering, Electrical Engineering and Electromechanics,” “Industrial Machinery Engineering,” and “Management.” The number of first-time entrants to the Bachelor’s level totaled 1,716 persons, while the overall student body of TSATU as of January 1, 2025, amounted to 5,695 students.

In 2024, the total number of graduates was 1,172:

  • Bachelor’s degrees – 576 students (417 full-time and 159 part-time);
  • Master’s degrees – 596 students (451 full-time and 145 part-time).