Kherson State University

From July 28 to August 12, Kherson State University Rector Oleksandr Spivakovskiy is visiting the United States of America as a part of the Community College Administrator Program (CCAP) internship.

The visit includes participation in the 2018-2023 CCAP Alumni Symposium, the EducationUSA Forum, meetings at the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) of the US Department of State, the American Councils for International Education, and a 10-day internship at the invitation of Florida State University.

During the meeting at the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the US State Department, the KSU Rector presented a report entitled “Scaling the Experience of the CCAP Program for Decision-Making on the Sustainable Development of Kherson State University in Extreme Conditions” and a video presentation. Attendees saw the solutions and tools through which the university manages to continue the academic process, how the focus on building international relations allows integration into the educational environment of European and US countries, and how preserving institutional memory ensures stability in extreme conditions.

Oleksandr Spivakovskiy handed over to Anthony Koliha, Director of the Department of Global Educational Programs of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the US State Department, a map of Ukraine with borders that the whole world declares.

As part of the annual Education USA forum, representatives of the Ukrainian delegation took part in panel discussions. They were dedicated to building international partnerships and cooperation between the government, education, and business in increasing the role of professional and technical education and global skills that contribute to the popularization of technical education. Each section is a unique case study of the experience of CCAP Program participants around the world, which is extremely interesting for implementation in Ukrainian realities.

“The lack of qualified professional personnel, the decline in the prestige of technical education, and the unwillingness to teach exact science are the problems that Ukraine is currently facing. We see it on the example of our university and the admission campaigns of recent years in Ukraine. Technical professional education is very important and driving force of economic growth and prosperity. Ukraine will not be able to rebuild if there are no qualified workers who can design and physically construct buildings. That is why the experience of the USA and other countries that have achieved positive results within the CCAP Program is so important for us”, emphasized Oleksandr Spivakovskiy.

The presentation of the research «Hidden Economic Engines of America: How Community Colleges Can Contribute to Collective Prosperity» was held. The publication explores the role of community colleges in the development of local economies and ensuring collective prosperity. The authors consider how educational institutions can be key players in economic development by training the workforce, supporting small businesses, and providing access to education to the general population. It is urgent what Ukraine needs when we talk about the restoration of regions whose human resource ecosystem, economy, and infrastructure have been damaged as a result of military operations.

During the meeting at the office of the American Councils for International Education, the guests were presented with the 50-year experience of the organization, which operates in 148 countries, including Ukraine, and has many programs to support innovation, education, culture and leadership. Ukrainian students and scientists, including representatives of KSU, participate in them. The meeting will contribute to expanding cooperation.

The internship program at Florida State University is focused on studying the American experience of veteran adaptation, inclusion in education, providing educational services to internally displaced persons, and supporting people affected by military operations and conflicts. Also, cases of interaction between government, business, and education that contribute to the economic growth of regions are presented. The internship involves visiting Florida State University and colleges and communicating with the administration, teachers, and stakeholders.

“We are studying the experience that is very relevant for Ukraine, where millions of people have lost their homes and jobs and need integration in a new place, looking for new opportunities for themselves. It is also about overcoming traumatic experiences, adapting veterans, and many other branches that we, as a university, are already working on because we consider ourselves one of the growth points for our native Kherson region, which will need specialists from various fields of knowledge for the restoration and reconstruction after Ukraine’s victory”, emphasized the Rector of KSU, Oleksandr Spivakovskiy. The CCAP program is implemented by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the US State Department, which is supported by the Americans and is implemented by Florida State University in cooperation with Santa Fe College.

Press Center of KSU