The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine has adopted a new edition of the law "On higher education."
A total of 276 MPs voted in favor of the law out of 337 registered in the session hall of the parliament on Tuesday.
The law sets principles and means of realization of state policy on higher education, higher education levels and degrees, higher education administrative agencies and their authority, standards of education, licensing procedures for higher education establishments, and accreditation procedures for specialties, as well as foundations for creating a unified state electronic database on education issues.
According to the law, accreditation levels of higher education establishments will be eliminated, academic and first scientific degree – the Doctor of Philosophy will be implemented, and National Agency on Higher Education Quality and independent agencies for assessment and ensuring higher education quality will be created.
The law foresees measures of students’ social protection, additional measures for scientific work of higher education establishments and possibility to involve business’ assets for higher education development.
According to the law, the universities are allowed to work with intangible assets in the form of intellectual property and create networks of regional research universities.
According to Chairperson of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Committee on Science and Education Lilia Hrynevych (Batkivschyna faction), a total of 959 amendments were made during the preparation for the second reading.
“This bill became even more systematic… Ukraine needs systematic changes,” Hrynevych said.
According to her, the law effectively brings about higher education reform.
