On June 8, 2026, Kyiv hosted the “Education of the New Ukraine 2.0” Conference, a large-scale event designed for high school students and young people exploring their educational and career paths.

The conference was organized by the Office of the President of Ukraine, the President’s Foundation for Education, Science and Sports, and the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, with the World Bank serving as the strategic educational partner.

The event brought together high-level government officials, including Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Culture Tetiana Berezhna, First Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Oleksandr Korniienko, Minister of Education and Science Oksen Lisovyi, as well as business leaders and representatives of Ukraine’s leading universities.

A particularly symbolic moment of the conference was the presentation of S. Kuznets Kharkiv National University of Economics (KhNUE) during the session dedicated to the best practices of Ukrainian universities.

As a university located in frontline Kharkiv, KhNUE demonstrated how higher education can remain resilient and innovative even during wartime. The university has successfully developed the ecosystem of Ukraine’s first fully operational underground university, combining safety, academic quality, digital accessibility, student engagement, and opportunities for personal and professional growth.

Today, KhNUE operates 41 learning spaces located within protective facilities, covering more than 2,900 square meters and providing educational opportunities for over 1,125 students simultaneously. Beyond the infrastructure itself, the project represents a comprehensive approach to ensuring uninterrupted, high-quality education under challenging circumstances.

The conference also highlighted the importance of flexible learning models. Students at KhNUE can choose between on-campus, online, and hybrid learning formats, creating a modern educational environment that adapts to both student needs and current realities.

Participants of the conference emphasized a shared vision: Ukraine’s young generation will play a crucial role in rebuilding the country, and universities must continue creating opportunities that empower students to learn, innovate, and contribute to Ukraine’s future.