Designing and Implementing Liberal Arts Studies in Ukraine

ongoing

This project aims to introduce Liberal Arts (LA) and Liberal Arts and Science (LAS) programmes into the Ukrainian HE system drawing upon the best practices and experience of EU partners. The project will establish five interdisciplinary LA/LAS programmes at the Junior Bachelor level (EQF 5) in 5 regional Ukainian HEIs representing 5 geographic regions: east, southeast south, center, west of Ukraine, and two categories: 3 pedagogical/humanities universities and 2 classical universities with developed natural science faculties. Curricula and course syllabi for LA/LAS programming will be designed, teachers trained, employers and school-leavers engaged, students recruited, programmes launched, duly accredited and popularized. Best practice from EU partners with multi-year experience in LA/LAS implementation will be drawn upon in the design and popularization of interdisciplinary short-cycle programmes relevant to Ukraine’s regional labour market and post-war reconstruction human capital needs. The “Sustainable growth and jobs” overarching priority will be addressed through a focus on LA/LAS programmes that build foundational skills, ‘soft’ skills (e.g. problem solving, communication), and form the basis for informed further study choices in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths (STEAM), as well as preparing students for entry into the post-war Ukrainian labour market.