On May 21, a working meeting was held in Zaporizhzhia between representatives of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, regional authorities, and the local scientific community. The event was attended by Deputy Minister of Education and Science of Ukraine, Denys Kurbatov.

During the visit, the participants discussed the outcomes of state policy in the field of science, the condition of research infrastructure in the region, and the prospects for young researchers and higher education institutions operating near the front line.

The discussions focused not only on support for universities in frontline regions but also on the implementation of key science policy initiatives, including the launch of basic institutional funding, the status of the national research assessment project, the implementation of the Horizon Europe programme, the development of an innovation ecosystem, and support for early-career researchers.

“Currently, over 3,000 researchers are working in the Zaporizhzhia region. They are developing technologies under extremely challenging conditions. Their achievements are already being applied across various sectors of the economy and public life. As we look toward the reconstruction of our country, it is clear that we must become a state that generates high added value through its own products. This is impossible without science. Therefore, I am sincerely grateful to all those who are creating scientific breakthroughs here in Zaporizhzhia,” stated Ivan Fedorov, Head of the Zaporizhzhia Regional State Administration.

The Ministry of Education and Science delegation visited four universities. At Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic National University, the team reviewed modern laboratories for mechanical engineering, explored research infrastructure, and assessed the training of engineering professionals. The university is also part of a network of startup schools—incubators and accelerators—established by the Ministry to foster an innovation ecosystem in higher education institutions.

At Zaporizhzhia National University, the delegation was introduced to the work of the Artificial Intelligence Centre and the Virtual Reality Laboratory. One of the VR programmes featured a model of the construction of the Dnipro Hydroelectric Station as an example of an interdisciplinary approach to education. Noteworthy biomedical research was also presented, including studies on skin and hair regeneration. Furthermore, Berdyansk State Pedagogical University, which was relocated from the temporarily occupied city of Berdyansk, continues its operations at the ZNU campus.

Zaporizhzhia State Medical and Pharmaceutical University showcased advanced laboratories for conducting a full range of preclinical studies, VR-based anatomy learning environments, and modern spaces dedicated to student research activities.

The visit concluded with an open dialogue with the Council of Young Scientists under the Zaporizhzhia Regional Administration, where participants discussed the challenges faced by early-career researchers and the opportunities available to them through new government programmes.

During the meetings, Denys Kurbatov presented the key science policy priorities of the Ministry of Education and Science for 2025, including:

• Introduction of basic institutional funding for higher education institutions and research organizations that have successfully passed the state research assessment;
  
• Establishment of an International Coalition for the Support and Development of Ukrainian Science;
  
• Launch of the National Researcher System, with a focus on early-career researchers;
  
• A call for public-private partnerships in research and development (R&D);
  
• Establishment of an Agency for Applied Research.