Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on higher education in Ukraine

Abstract

In March-April 2020, education systems (both higher and secondary) in the world did not just face difficulties. In just a few weeks, 95% of students across the planet were forced to switch to a distance or blended learning format. Universities are truly in an emergency. Barriers have arisen to implement the model that schools and universities have been operating for centuries. Even 30 years ago, this situation would have meant only one thing – the complete cessation of the work of universities. It is no coincidence that in the history of higher education situations of military action, floods, epidemics have so far led either to the closure or to the territorial movement (evacuation) of universities. To ease the pandemic, it would also be easiest to close universities for quarantine. But Russian universities, like their counterparts in many countries around the world, have decided to continue working, albeit on a limited scale, to help students continue their education and even complete their studies.