Representatives of KSU took part in the meeting of the Coordinating Council for Human Capital Development of the Kherson region
On June 25, a meeting of the Coordination Council for Human Capital Development of the Kherson region was held under the chairmanship of the deputy head of the Kherson Regional Military Administration, Volodymyr Klyutsevskyi.
"People are the main resource for the restoration of the Kherson region. That is why the development and restoration of human capital is one of the priorities of Kherson State University's activities. This fully aligns with the philosophy of our academic community — preserving Kherson identity and systematic participation in the life of our native region.
As a deputy of the Kherson Regional Council, chairman of the standing committee on human capital development, and a member of the Coordination Council, I am convinced: the reconstruction of the region begins not with concrete structures, but with people.
I have been systematically engaged in the development of human capital since 2014. Before the full-scale invasion, a regional Human Capital Development Program was in operation, which I initiated. It provided for preferential training for specialists needed by the communities of the Kherson region. Today, life, the consequences of war, and occupation present us with new challenges; therefore, the region needs a new program adapted to the realities of the time and future restoration," emphasized the Rector of KSU Oleksandr Spivakovskyi.
During the meeting of the Coordination Council, the First Vice-Rector of KSU Serhii Omelchuk presented the experience of Kherson State University in preserving human capital under relocation conditions. For KSU's experience proves: the main thing is people, the community.
"That is why it was fundamentally important for us to preserve the academic community. Today, 96% of our employees are residents of Kherson; 9anc% of the Ivano-Frankivsk office team are also natives of the Kherson region. Values are not formed in a year or two; in the KSU Development Strategy, we have systematically adhered to the philosophy of supporting and caring for the team. As a marker of trust in the university as an institution, we consider that on February 24, 2022, the staff had no hesitation. The percentage of those who betrayed us is within the margin of error. We preserved the rectorate, the dean's office, practically all heads of departments, teachers, and support staff. After all, a university is not walls. A university is people. And together we plan our return home.
KSU does more than just teach students, over 60% of whom associate themselves with the Kherson region. Every day, we preserve the Kherson identity, passing on the DNA of our small homeland to the younger generation, even if they represent other regions.
We continue to cooperate with the communities of the Kherson region, organizing student internships at relocated enterprises in Kherson; our students and graduates work in the Kherson region. We have redirected scientific research toward the issues of regional restoration. Our scientists are working on updating the Development Strategy for the Kherson region, researching the needs of communities, and helping to shape the vision for the future of the region. Our international projects are also a contribution to the development of the Kherson region," emphasized Oleksandr Spivakovskyi.
A draft of the new Human Capital Development Program for the Kherson region was presented to the Coordination Council for consideration. It was developed based on consultations with communities, residents, and target groups. The program covers six key areas, including training personnel of various qualifications, supporting veterans, and creating conditions for people to return to their native communities.
"The more we bring Kherson residents together today, support them, provide opportunities, show prospects, and help preserve the connection with their native land, the more people will return home tomorrow or decide to connect their lives with the Kherson region. But these must be concrete and understandable things.
This is exactly what a true investment in the future of the Kherson region is.
I thank the First Vice-Rector Serhii Omelchuk for the analytics and detailed presentation of our experience, and the head of the KSU Press Center Oksana Kazakova — for assistance in preparing for the meeting," summarized Oleksandr Spivakovskyi.
KSU Press Center