Ukraine needs 100 state universities instead of 151, – Mykhailo Vynnytsky
11 August 2025 22:23
Ukraine should reduce the number of state universities to about 100, given the demographic changes and declining student enrollment. This was stated by former Deputy Minister of Education and Science Mykhailo Vynnytskyi in an interview withApostropheafter his dismissal on August 8, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports.
Why do we need fewer universities?
- Over the past 15 years, the number of students in Ukraine has almost halved.
- Only 48 institutions received more than 1000 recommendations for admission (budget and contract) in 2025.
- According to European standards, a university should serve at least 5000 students, which requires an annual enrollment of about 1000 bachelors.
- Institutions that do not reach this number are at risk and may eventually be reorganized or merged with larger ones.
Examples of consolidation
- In 2024, the Cabinet of Ministers merged Mykolaiv National University named after Sukhomlynskyi with the National University of Shipbuilding to create the University of Shipbuilding and Development of the South.
- In June 2025, Ivan Ohienko Kamianets-Podilskyi National University was merged with Podilskyi State University, a merger that was based on a regional principle.
Private universities are also disappearing
- Over the past year, more than 10 private universities have ceased operations due to low demand.
Context
Prior to his dismissal from the Ministry of Education and Science, Vynnytsky was responsible for the process of consolidation of state universities. He was often criticized for the lack of transparency in the reorganizations, although he himself insisted that changes were needed to adapt the education system to modern realities.
