On October 26, Sumy National Agrarian University held a regular meeting of the Academic Council in a hybrid format. Participants discussed current issues related to career guidance, the university’s strategic development, the organization of the educational process, and research activities.
Vita Tkachenko, head of the Department of Career Guidance and Pre-University Preparation, and the directors of the university’s affiliated colleges reported on the current status and priority areas of career guidance at SNAU and its colleges.
The Academic Council recognized career guidance as one of the university’s strategic development priorities and approved a plan of action for the 2026/2027 academic year. Priorities include strengthening individualized work with prospective students and their parents, collaborating with general secondary schools, engaging employers and alumni, as well as adapting career guidance activities to the conditions of martial law and evaluating their effectiveness.
Special attention was given to new approaches to the university’s development in the context of the SNAU Transformation and Empowerment Strategy for 2026–2030. Natalia Bolhova, Dean of the Faculty of Food Technology, presented a report titled “SNAU: From Local Traditions to the Global ‘Grass-fed’ Strategy.” Her presentation focused on the development of the “Grass-fed” program and the university’s ability to integrate education, research, and community needs to advance the agricultural sector and the processing of agricultural products according to the “farm-to-table” principle.
Marharyta Lyshenko, Vice Rector for Scientific, Pedagogical, and Academic Affairs, presented on the organization of the educational process. In particular, the Academic Council considered the renaming of the Malovystoropskyi Vocational College named after P. S. Rybalko of the Sumy National Agrarian University, the approval of the Policy on Psychological and Emotional Support in the Workplace at the Sumy National Agrarian University, and the Regulations on the Student Ombudsman of the Sumy National Agrarian University. Following the review, the renaming of the college to “Malovystoropsk Vocational College of Sumy NAU” was approved, and the relevant documents were adopted.
Yuriy Danko, Vice Rector for Research and International Affairs, presented matters related to research. The Academic Council reviewed the results of admissions to master’s and doctoral programs, reports from master’s and doctoral students, issues regarding withdrawal and academic leaves of absence, changes in academic advisors, and the approval of ad hoc specialized academic councils for dissertation defenses. It also reviewed the recognition of certificates and the crediting of international internships, business trips for the purpose of completing such internships, and recommendations for scientific works to be published.
Following the meeting, the Academic Council adopted resolutions regarding the university’s educational, research, and organizational activities. Their implementation will contribute to the further development of SNAU and the fulfillment of its strategic objectives.
