The way of formation and development: 25th Anniversary of the Faculty of Postgraduate Education and Pre-University Training of UzhNU

This year in the chronicles of Uzhhorod National University is marked by the quarter-century anniversary of the establishment of the Faculty of Postgraduate Education and Pre-University Training (FPE). Over the years, the faculty has become a key center of continuing education, a place where hundreds of specialists annually acquire new knowledge, improve their skills and gain additional qualifications. The faculty plays a unique role in the region's education system, providing training opportunities for various categories of students - from school leavers preparing for university to experienced professionals seeking to improve their skills.

For 25 years, the faculty has not only fulfilled its original mission, but has also become a driver of change, initiating the introduction of new educational standards, international projects, and innovative approaches to education.

Foundation of the FPE

The Faculty was established in 2000 as a response to the urgent need of society to develop the system of postgraduate education and provide continuous professional training. At that time, Ukraine was undergoing large-scale reforms in higher education, and one of the key tasks was to introduce mechanisms for professional development and retraining.

The university management and researchers were well aware that the modern labor market requires constant updating of knowledge, and a specialist who graduated 10-15 years ago cannot remain competitive without advanced training. That is why it was decided to create a new faculty that would take on the mission of organizing refresher courses, specialization and opportunities to obtain a second higher education.

Particular attention was paid to medicine. Prior to the establishment of the faculty, young doctors in Zakarpattia had to undergo internships in other regions, which complicated the staffing situation in the region. The Faculty of Postgraduate Education became the first in Zakarpattia to introduce a full-fledged internship program, which allowed to keep specialists in the region, creating a strong personnel reserve for medical institutions in the region.

The initial stage of development

The first years of the faculty's formation were accompanied by active development of its structure, formation of curricula and expansion of the material and technical base. The faculty became an innovator not only in the field of medical education, but also in the development of opportunities for retraining specialists in other fields. It was here that Uzhhorod National University first opened its second higher education programs. This was a significant step for those who wanted to change their profession or expand their career opportunities.

The first wave of students enrolled in the second degree program included mainly specialists in economics, law, and public administration who sought to acquire additional competencies. Later, the list of specialties expanded to include pedagogy, information technology, and business management.

The faculty also became a platform for testing new forms and methods of teaching. One of the important elements was the introduction of distance learning courses, which allowed us to attract students not only from Uzhhorod and Zakarpattia, but also from other regions of Ukraine. This was an innovative decision at the time, as online education had not yet gained the popularity it has today. 

In the first years of its operation, the faculty gradually increased its capabilities, expanded its staff, and developed new curricula. Close cooperation with leading university departments played an important role in ensuring a high level of teaching. Among the challenges faced by the FPE in the first years of its operation was the need to constantly modernize the educational process and improve programs in line with changes in legislation and labor market requirements. However, thanks to the perseverance of the management, teaching staff and active involvement of students, the faculty was able to successfully overcome all difficulties and lay a solid foundation for further development.

Thus, the first years of the FPE's existence were a period of active formation, experiments and search for optimal ways of development. It was here that the foundations of postgraduate education in the region were laid, training of interns was started, and opportunities for obtaining a second higher education were opened. These initiatives became crucial not only for the university but for the whole of Zakarpattia, as they provided training for highly qualified specialists who are now working in various spheres of public life.

The current state of the Faculty of Postgraduate Education and Pre-University Training

Over the 25 years of its existence, the Faculty of Postgraduate Education and Pre-University Training of Uzhhorod National University has become one of the leading centers of continuing education in Ukraine. Today, it is not just an educational unit, but a powerful educational and scientific structure that provides a wide range of educational services, implements international projects, and introduces innovative teaching methods.

An extremely important aspect of the faculty's work is pre-university training, which helps applicants adapt to the requirements of higher education and prepare for entrance exams. Thanks to this, many school graduates have been able to better navigate their career choices and successfully start their university studies.

Postgraduate education: adapting to the challenges of the times

The faculty provides training, retraining and advanced training of specialists in various fields, among which medical education plays a special role. It is here that interns are trained in 20 specialties: therapy, family medicine, pediatrics, surgery, anesthesiology, etc. The internship programs meet modern international standards and include both theoretical training and intensive clinical practice at the leading medical institutions of the region.

In addition to internships, the faculty offers specialization courses in 36 specialties, thematic improvement, seminars and master classes for doctors and pharmacists, which allows practitioners to deepen their knowledge and master the latest diagnostic and treatment methods. Much attention is paid to the introduction of modern technologies: in recent years, the FPE  has organized trainings in laparoscopic surgery, ultrasound diagnostics and other innovative areas.

Pre-university training and international cooperation

The School is a center for pre-university training, helping applicants to adapt to the requirements of higher education. The faculty offers courses in basic subjects that prepare school leavers for successful completion of entrance exams and external independent evaluation.

In recent years, the FPE has significantly intensified its international cooperation, participating in various scientific and educational programs. Teachers and students have the opportunity to undertake internships at universities in Poland, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Austria and other countries. Particular attention is paid to academic mobility programs that allow the exchange of experience with leading foreign higher education institutions.

An important step was the opening of the Welcome Center, which facilitates the adaptation of foreign students and postgraduate students. The center helps with organizational issues, provides support in paperwork, and facilitates the quick integration of students into the educational process.

Faculty in times of military challenges

Since 2022, the FPE has been actively involved in all-Ukrainian initiatives aimed at supporting the healthcare and education systems in the context of a full-scale war. Teachers and students participated in medical volunteer projects, providing assistance to both civilians and the military. It conducted tactical medicine trainings, organized charity events and humanitarian initiatives.

The educational process was adapted to the new realities, including the expansion of distance learning opportunities and the introduction of a blended learning format. The faculty also supported the initiative to train military doctors and medical workers working in the frontline areas, providing them with the opportunity to improve their skills. In addition, the FPE plays an active role in the implementation of the state program “Education for the Reconstruction of Ukraine”, which aims to train specialists to restore the destroyed infrastructure, ensure sustainable development of regions and expand opportunities for international integration.

Vector of further development

The current state of the Faculty is the result of many years of work, strategic vision and continuous improvement of the educational process. The faculty not only manages to respond to the challenges of the times, but also shapes the educational policy of the region by initiating new programs that promote professional growth and development of society.

Among the key areas of further development of the faculty are:

• Expansion of international cooperation and academic mobility;
• introduction of the latest digital technologies in the educational process;
• expansion of training programs in crisis management, medical care and rehabilitation;
• strengthening cooperation with employers to improve curricula in line with labor market needs;
• support for postgraduate education initiatives for the military and veterans.

 

 Due to its dynamism and flexibility, the FPE continues to be a leading educational center in the region, maintaining high standards of education, which is the key to the professional success of its graduates.

The Faculty of Postgraduate Education and Pre-University Training performs an important mission in the educational process not only at Uzhhorod National University, but also throughout the region and the country. It performs a number of key tasks, including training of future specialists, professional development, introduction of innovative technologies and promotion of socio-economic development of the state:

1. Providing continuous training and professional development

The main task  is to provide opportunities for lifelong learning. This is especially true in the context of rapid development of science, changes in legislation and the emergence of new technologies that require specialists to constantly improve their knowledge and skills.

In cooperation with the leading medical institutions of the region,  trains interns, who upon completion of their studies acquire the necessary practical skills and gain experience in real-life conditions, as well as specialization courses, thematic improvement, practical classes, clinical conferences, master classes and simulation trainings for doctors and pharmacists.

2. Development of pre-university training and career guidance

In addition to preparing for entrance exams and external independent evaluation, the FPE conducts career guidance activities for high school students, organizing open lectures, study tours and meetings with university professors. Such events help young people to decide on their future profession, get acquainted with the peculiarities of studying at a higher education institution and adapt to new educational conditions.

3. Implementation of modern educational technologies

The FPE actively develops innovative approaches to education, including distance and blended learning formats. Thanks to digital technologies, students have the opportunity to take part of their studies online, gaining access to lecture materials, video courses and interactive platforms. Distance learning courses have become especially important for professionals who cannot attend classes due to employment or remote work. Thanks to the introduction of modern technologies, training has become more flexible and accessible.

The FPE is also actively implementing simulation-based learning methods, in particular for the training of medical professionals. The use of simulators and virtual clinical scenarios allows doctors to gain valuable experience in a safe environment, which increases their readiness for real-life practice.

4. International cooperation and integration into the European educational space

The FPE actively working on the development of international cooperation, which allows to implement European standards of education and involve students and teachers in international research programs.

As mentioned above, in cooperation with European partners, it implements academic mobility, internship and student exchange programs. In particular, students of the faculty have the opportunity to undergo internships and training in medical institutions in Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary and other countries.

5. Contributing to the reconstruction of the country and social initiatives

During the period of full-scale war, the Faculty plays an important role in training the specialists needed to rebuild Ukraine. The faculty actively supports government initiatives aimed at training specialists to work in medicine, psychological rehabilitation, crisis management and infrastructure restoration. It also takes an active part in social projects, organizing humanitarian aid, first aid training, and courses for military medics.

An important aspect of its activities is the psychological support it provides to trainees, students, and teachers. The faculty conducts trainings on stress management, adaptation to changes and work in crisis situations, which is extremely relevant in today's realities.

The Faculty of Postgraduate Education and Pre-University Training of UzhNU is one of the key centers of continuing education in Ukraine. Its mission is to provide quality professional training, create conditions for personal and career development of students, promote the modernization of the educational process and integration into the global educational community. 

Thanks to its many years of experience, highly professional teaching staff and the introduction of innovative technologies, the FPE continues to play its key role in the development of Ukrainian education and science, maintaining high quality education and focusing on the current needs of society.

 

• Faculty of Postgraduate and Pre-university Education