Engineering education is dying in Ukraine: laboratories of the largest universities are closed, equipment is outdated
16 September 2025 00:15
In Ukraine, engineering education in its Soviet form is quietly disappearing. No one is shouting about it, but the reality is striking: laboratories at leading technical universities remain closed, and students are deprived of practical training. This was stated by the President of the Kyiv School of Economics (KSE) Tymofiy Mylovanov, referring to the results of a field study conducted by KSE students at KPI, KAI and KNU, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports.
“No scandals. It’s very quiet. Engineering education is dying in Ukraine, or rather, the remnants of the Soviet one. Everyone pretends that everything is fine. For example, laboratories. In the leading technical universities of Ukraine, the state of engineering (technical) laboratories is terrible and Soviet, most of them are closed to students,” Milovanov said.
Students of the Kyiv School of Economics (KSE) conducted a field study of the state of laboratories in three leading universities: KPI, KAI and KNU. The results were alarming.
KPI
According to Milovanov, almost all of the university’s laboratories are closed. Where access is open, there are no students – only teachers and lab technicians who are reluctant to make contact. The state of the laboratories is neglected and “Soviet”. He noted that the university has new leadership.
“KPI has a new rector and a new supervisory board. I know they focus on science. Let’s open laboratories for all students at any time. Let’s change the culture,” Milovanov suggested.
The video shows one of the KPI laboratories.
KAI
At the Kyiv Aviation Institute, despite the large number of students enrolled in offline education, laboratories also remain closed. Milovanov called the condition of classrooms and laboratory equipment unsatisfactory. At the same time, he noted the positive changes that are taking place under the new leadership of the university.
KNU
Of the 20 laboratories found at Kyiv National University, only two were open. Classes do take place there, but students need the permission of the department to access them outside of the schedule. The condition of the laboratories resembles a “Soviet warehouse,” and the buildings themselves, according to students, look empty and uninhabited.
What laboratories should be like
Milovanov emphasized that laboratories should be modern and always open to students, not only from their own universities but also from other educational institutions.
“We promote this at KSE. If more of this is done, Ukraine has a chance to revive high-quality technical education on par with European countries such as the Czech Republic or Germany,” he emphasized.
