Deputy Minister of Education and Science Mykhailo Vinnytsky says Ukrainian legislation does not provide for the possibility of privatizing state universities, and changes to the legislation are not currently being considered.
“Regarding the statements about ‘buying out’ the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy from the state: Ukrainian legislation does not provide for the possibility of privatizing state universities. Changes to the legislation that would allow such actions are not currently being considered,” Vinnytsky said on Facebook.
According to him, Kyiv-Mohyla Academy plays a key role in the formation of new generations of Ukrainian leaders.
“The Kyiv-Mohyla Academy’s graduates are realized in business, the state and public sectors, in scientific activities in Ukraine and abroad. The government as the founder of this institution acts as a guarantor of its autonomy and promotes the diversified development of this (and other) state universities,” the deputy minister said, adding the Education Ministry does not sell state universities.
As reported, on January 10, President of Kyiv School of Economics (KSE) Tymofiy Mylovanov proposed that KSE buy the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy from the Ministry of Education and Science with the money accumulated from the population in order to make it more successful and effective. He valued the academy at $10-50 million.
Later, President of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy Serhiy Kvit responded ironically to this proposal on Facebook: “If you know, you know. Sure, the first priority is to donate to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. But if you want to support the development of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, you can always do it here,” and published a link to the university’s charitable foundation.