Kurbatoff on the Unification of Scientific Institutions: Scientists Must Have Opportunities for Development

In an exclusive interview with Interfax-Ukraine, Kurbatoff stated that scientists must have the opportunity to realize their potential, which can only be achieved within effective and resource-rich institutions. He stressed the importance of creating powerful scientific establishments to support the growth of researchers in the country.

Kurbatoff addressed the reluctance of founders of scientific institutions that have not undergone state accreditation to reorganize and merge. He remarked, "This is certainly their business – we are not the founders of unaccredited institutions. However, I believe this will not work. Firstly, it is already stipulated in the legislation. Additionally, they will be budgeting for the next year through the Ministry of Finance, and I do not think this situation can be prolonged for long. Scientists must have opportunities for development, and this is only possible in a capable and stronger institution," he emphasized.

When asked about the fairness of the refusal to accredit the Luhansk Nature Reserve and the Ukrainian Steppe Nature Reserve, which are partially occupied and partially located in combat zones, Kurbatoff noted that the accreditation system took this specificity into account. "When we developed the accreditation methodology, we studied global experience: firstly, European – the United Kingdom, Poland, Germany; secondly, we considered our national peculiarities. There were thoughts to postpone accreditation until after the war, but the war has been ongoing for five years now, and how much longer can we delay reforms in the country? We decided not to postpone because there is no clear vision of when it might end. We agreed to conduct the reform taking into account the specifics," he added.

Kurbatoff also reported that all frontline, border, and displaced universities and scientific institutions received an increase coefficient ranging from 5% to 15% for all indicators, and a destruction or property loss coefficient of up to 30% was introduced. "If you open the map of accreditation results, you can see that many institutions in categories 'A' and 'B' are concentrated in the frontline zone," he noted.

According to previously released information, the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine plans to conduct another (basic) state accreditation of scientific institutions and higher education establishments in 2024-2025. Following the results of this accreditation, in January, 116 scientific institutions and 50 higher education establishments that successfully passed the accreditation were included in the State Register of Scientific Institutions, which receive state support. At the same time, 39 scientific institutions and 36 higher education establishments failed to pass the accreditation.

Under current legislation, by September 1, 2026, founders of institutions that did not pass accreditation are required to take measures to ensure the continued functioning of state scientific institutions. This underscores the importance of reforming the scientific sector in Ukraine and creating conditions for the development of science in the face of modern challenges.