All-Ukrainian Forum "Educational Leadership Days - 2026"

On June 5, Zaporizhia Polytechnic National University became a platform for a large-scale professional dialogue about the future of Ukrainian education and science. The All-Ukrainian Forum “Days of Educational Leadership – 2026” brought together over 1,000 participants from different regions of Ukraine – representatives of higher education institutions, state authorities, business, the scientific community and student self-government – around the topical topic: “Between rules and reality: flexibility without loss of quality”.

The forum was held with the support of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, the All-Ukrainian Association of Regional Employer Organizations of Metallurgical Complex Enterprises “Federation of Metallurgists of Ukraine”, the Zaporizhzhia Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Public Union “Zaporizhzhya Cluster “Engineering – Automation – Mechanical Engineering”” and the State Enterprise “IVCHENKO-PROGRES”.

The participants were welcomed Rector of Zaporizhia Polytechnic National University Viktor Greshta, Head of the Subcommittee on Higher Education of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Education, Science and Innovation Yulia Hryshyna, Deputy Minister of Education and Science of Ukraine Mykola Trofymenko and Head of the Sectoral Council for the Development of Professional Standards and the Strategy for the Development of Professional Qualifications of the Federation of Metallurgists of Ukraine Olena Kolesnikova.

A special event of the forum was the opening of the HI-RISE (High-tech Robotics Innovation & Systems Excellence) Center for Engineering of Robotic Production Systems. The new center is designed to become a center for the development of innovative technologies, robotics, engineering solutions and cooperation of the university with industrial partners, which is extremely important for the restoration and modernization of the Ukrainian economy.

The event program included two discussion platforms. During the first panel — “Educational Activities: Quality, Flexibility, and a New Model of University Education” — participants discussed the transformation of educational programs, an interdisciplinary approach to learning, the interaction of universities with employers, the impact of artificial intelligence on the educational process, and the training of specialists in accordance with the needs of the modern labor market.

The second panel — “University Scientific Activities in New Realities: Performance, Innovation, Transfer, and Sustainability” — was devoted to the development of university science, grant activities, the implementation of innovations, cooperation with business, and the use of modern digital technologies in scientific research.

During the day, meaningful discussions continued, discussing current problems and prospects for the development of education and science, and exchanging experience between representatives of different universities and regions. It is such an open professional dialogue that allows us to form new approaches, generate common ideas, and find effective solutions for the development of the educational sector.

The forum once again confirmed the role of Zaporizhia as a powerful educational and scientific center of Ukraine. Despite all the challenges of today, the city remains a meeting place for the professional community, a space for the birth of new partnerships, the implementation of innovative projects, and the development of youth and academic initiatives.

A special place in the event program was occupied by the youth section “Students as Co-Creators of the University: Where Rules End and Opportunities Begin”, which united active student youth from different regions of Ukraine.

The All-Ukrainian Forum “Days of Educational Leadership – 2026” became an example of effective cooperation between the state, universities, business, and the student community. It is this interaction that today forms the basis for the development of high-quality education, competitive science, and the training of specialists who will rebuild and develop Ukraine.

We sincerely thank the organizers, partners, speakers, and all participants of the forum for the professional dialogue, new ideas, constructive discussions, and joint work for the future of Ukrainian education and science. Together, we are forming educational leadership that will become a reliable foundation for a strong and successful Ukraine!