On March 27–28, 2025, the 19th All-Ukrainian Scientific and Practical Conference “Development of Vocational Education in the Context of War, Post-Conflict Recovery, and Ukraine’s European Integration” was held, organized by the Institute of Vocational Education of the National Academy of Educational Sciences of Ukraine. The event brought together scientists, educators, business representatives, and government officials to discuss key issues in the development of vocational education in Ukraine.
Faculty members of our department actively participated in the conference: Liubov Prokopiv – Head of the Department, Professor, Candidate of Pedagogical Sciences; Viktoriia Stynska – Professor, Doctor of Pedagogical Sciences; Taras Paska – Assistant, Doctor of Philosophy; Mariana Dereniuk – Assistant, Doctor of Philosophy.
The opening address was delivered by Vasyl Hryhorovych Kremen, President of the National Academy of Educational Sciences of Ukraine, Doctor of Philosophy, Professor, Full Member (Academician) of both the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine and the National Academy of Educational Sciences of Ukraine.
The plenary sessions were moderated by Valentyna Radkevych, Director of the Institute of Vocational Education of the National Academy of Educational Sciences of Ukraine, Doctor of Pedagogical Sciences, Professor, Full Member (Academician) of the National Academy of Educational Sciences of Ukraine, and Mykola Pryhodyi, Deputy Director for Research of the Institute of Vocational Education of the NAES of Ukraine, Doctor of Pedagogical Sciences, Professor.
Notable presentations at the plenary session included:
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Iryna Shumik, Candidate of Public Administration, Director General of the Directorate of Vocational Education, Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine;
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Nellia Nychkalo, Doctor of Pedagogical Sciences, Professor, Full Member (Academician) of the National Academy of Educational Sciences of Ukraine, Academic Secretary of the Department of Vocational and Adult Education of the NAES of Ukraine;
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Svitlana Kravets, Candidate of Pedagogical Sciences, Senior Researcher, Head of the Department of Foreign Vocational Education Systems, Institute of Vocational Education, NAES of Ukraine;
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Maryana Marusynets, Doctor of Pedagogical Sciences, Professor, Honorary Academician of the NAES of Ukraine, Director of the Department of Education, Science, Youth, and Sports of the Zakarpattia Regional Military Administration;
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Denys Kovalenko, Doctor of Pedagogical Sciences, Professor, Director of the Educational-Scientific Institute “Ukrainian Engineering Pedagogical Academy,” Kharkiv National University named after V.N. Karazin, and many others.
The plenary session provided a deep analysis of post-war reconstruction priorities in Ukraine and the role of vocational education in this process. The sectional sessions were structured to address youth entrepreneurship, development of the construction sector, and digitalization of the educational process. The practical outcomes discussed at these sessions are oriented toward rapid implementation in vocational (technical) and pre-higher education institutions. This approach effectively links scientific research with the real needs of society.
The overall aim of the conference was to build a sustainable, competitive vocational education system capable of self-development and creative problem-solving. Prospects for collaboration in post-war conditions highlighted the importance of effective dialogue between science, business, and government. The discussion format ensured practical application of research results and helped create an innovative educational platform. Such efforts open new horizons for the development of human capital and vocational education in Ukraine.
The conference served as an important platform for experience exchange, establishing professional contacts, and finding solutions for the further development of vocational education in Ukraine amid wartime and post-war challenges.
