Ukrainian Scientists in High Demand Abroad, Says Kurbatov

Denis Kurbatov, the Deputy Minister of Education and Science of Ukraine, emphasized in a recent interview with Interfax-Ukraine that Ukrainian scientists who possess a European mentality and are proficient in foreign languages are increasingly sought after by European scientific institutions. He pointed out that a true Ukrainian scientist is a global expert, as science knows no borders.

Kurbatov stressed that if a Ukrainian researcher works in the fields of natural or technical sciences, biology, social or humanities sciences, and utilizes literature from around the world—including English-language sources—for their dissertations, while also being integrated into international projects such as the European Horizon program, they are already well-prepared to continue their research in any laboratory worldwide. 'This person is ready to continue their research in any laboratory across the globe,' he remarked.

The Deputy Minister also noted that Europe is facing challenges related to an aging population and a lack of interest among youth in pursuing scientific careers. Therefore, attracting Ukrainian scientists, who are mentally aligned with European values and possess language skills, is highly appealing to European institutions. 'This is undoubtedly very interesting for European institutions,' Kurbatov added.

Particularly noteworthy is Kurbatov's mention of the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), the world's largest physics experiment taking place at the Large Hadron Collider, where up to 200 Ukrainian scientists work annually, earning a strong reputation within the international scientific community. This underscores the high level of professionalism among Ukrainian researchers.

Kurbatov also revealed that Ukrainian detectors, manufactured in Kharkiv at the Institute of Scintillation Materials, are utilized at the Large Hadron Collider. This institute continues to supply equipment for the world's largest scientific experiment, highlighting the significance of Ukrainian technology in international science.

When asked about the potential return of Ukrainian scientists who have left the country due to the ongoing war, Kurbatov emphasized that safety is the key factor for their return. 'Until this issue is resolved, it would be an exaggeration to claim from any platform that we will do something and that people will definitely return to us,' he stated. He also pointed out the necessity of developing a plan to establish clear, long-term, and stable connections with Ukrainian scientists abroad, which would be the first step towards their return.

Furthermore, Kurbatov reported that due to the full-scale war in Ukraine, 15-20% of researchers have ceased their scientific activities, with 8% having left the country. These figures illustrate the serious challenges facing Ukrainian science amid the war and underscore the importance of supporting scientists to preserve the country's scientific potential.