On October 13th, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the restructuring of the National Aviation University (NAU), initiated by Vice Prime Minister Mykhailo Fedorov. In response to this decision, the university is preparing a lawsuit.
The National Aviation University is planned to be divided into two structures: the State University "Kyiv Aviation Institute" (the historical name of NAU) and a separate institution called the Ukrainian State Flight Academy (in Kropyvnytskyi).
The Cabinet of Ministers has supported the decision proposed by the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine to reorganize the National Aviation University. A relevant order from the Ministry of Education and Science has been signed to initiate the reorganization process of NAU.
"Universities like NAU play a crucial role in training highly qualified professionals in the fields of aviation, drone construction, and military IT technologies. Today's decision contributes to the improvement of the quality of higher education, strengthening defense capabilities, and creating the necessary conditions for the formation of an effective network of higher education institutions. It is for these reasons that Vice Prime Minister Mykhailo Fedorov initiated the project for the relevant Cabinet of Ministers' order," as stated on the Government's website.
The reasons for this decision As stated by Mykhailo Fedorov, the state has not seen a single drone developed by the university's specialists since the beginning of the full-scale war. Constant complaints from students about the university's leadership and scandals regarding the illegal alienation of university lands for construction have had a negative impact on the educational process and have openly demotivated the youth.
"The Ministry of Education and Science received numerous letters from the team of the Flight Academy of the National Aviation University in Kropyvnytskyi, requesting to separate their institution from NAU. The Flight Academy has workshops for the production of drones that can contribute to our defense capabilities, but under the supervision of another higher education institution, their potential is limited," Fedorov announced on his Telegram channel.
NAU is preparing a lawsuit against the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine due to the reorganization of the university.
"The mentioned decision contradicts current legislation, blatantly violates the principles of autonomy of higher education institutions guaranteed by the laws of Ukraine, and causes irreparable damage to the aviation industry of the state and the image of Ukraine. NAU will challenge the decision of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine in court," as stated in the university's press release. NAU also calls on the educational and aviation communities to unite and "not allow the destruction of the leading institution of higher education in Ukraine.