Ukrainian National Agency for Higher Education Quality Assurance shared experiences of operating in crises with the University of Tartu

On 20 January, representatives of the National Agency for Higher Education Quality Assurance of Ukraine visited the University of Tartu to discuss the Ukrainian universities’ experiences of teaching and research under crisis conditions.

The Ukrainian delegation included the leaders of the quality assurance agency and representatives of two universities, who are currently completing an Estonian–Ukrainian development cooperation project focused on quality assessment in higher education.

The University of Tartu was represented at the meeting by Taivo Raud, Head of Rector’s Strategy Office; Kadri Steinbach, Head of the Centre for Learning and Teaching; Dorel Tamm-Klaos, Quality Manager at the Rector’s Strategy Office; Dmytro Khutkyy, Research Fellow in Digital Governance at Johan Skytte Institute of Political Studies and Head of the University of Tartu Ukraine Centre; Nele Rand, Defence Innovation Adviser; and Sirje Üprus, Head of International Protocol.

The discussions at the meeting covered the university’s quality system and the work of the University of Tartu’s Ukraine Centre. The guests also shared experiences from Ukrainian universities on ensuring continuity during wartime. One of the objectives of the University of Tartu’s new strategic and action plans is strengthening the university’s crisis preparedness and resilience in an increasingly challenging security environment.

Representatives of the Ukrainian National Agency for Higher Education Quality Assurance visited Estonia from 18 to 24 January as part of the project “Improving the quality of higher education in Ukraine”. The project was funded by the Estonian Centre for International Development. The representatives of the Ukrainian quality assurance agency also visited the Estonian Quality Agency for Education, other universities and the Estonian Research Council.