UKRAINE: Radical reforms will not follow elections

Ukraine's higher education system will not undergo any radical reform following the recent election of a new president and government. But some changes are likely to be implemented, including modification of a controversial testing system.

Dmitriy Tabachnik, the new Minister of Education, said the government would tighten admission requirements for national universities and the principles for studying in them.

At the same time, the authorities are planning to retain a controversial system of external testing for applicants. this has acted as an alternative to entrance examinations in Ukrainian universities over the past few years but has been unpopular with the heads of several major universities.

The independent system is based on applicants taking special tests to determine whether they should be accepted or not by the universities.

In 2009, the government even imposed a ban on independent examinations conducted by the universities unless they required special skills, such as drawing for architects and designers.

One main reason for introducing the system was the authorities' desire to end corruption in the admissions processes. But this aim has been only partially achieved.

In addition, most university presidents have said the current admission requirements are too formalised and do not evaluate applicants' skill levels.

Despite weaknesses in the current admission system, the government is planning to keep it, althoughVice Prime Minister Volodymyr Seminozhenko said the system would be significantly improved during the next few years.

Seminozhenko said an applicant's total score would consist of three equal components: the results of external testing, the results of secondary school final examinations, and evaluation of his or her knowledge by a higher education institution.

This last stage will take account of such criteria as a result of a special interview, the availability of professional experience and recommendations.

Seminozhenko believes such changes will help avoid corruption and make Ukrainian universities more competitive in Europe.

Meanwhile, as part of the country's higher education reform, local authorities have not ruled out the possibility of cutting the number of higher education institutions by 30%, as is planned in neighbouring Russia.

According to Sergei Kvit, President of the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla, one of Ukraine's most prestigious institutions, there are currently more than 353 colleges and universities in Ukraine, while the country needs only 30 of them.