Anna Brodarska, a master's student at I.I. Mechnikov Odesa National University in Ukraine, is closely observing the operation of a new liquid chromatograph. This equipment will be essential for her upcoming PhD research.
"I plan to write my dissertation in the field of chromatography, so this newly-acquired equipment will be an important step toward my future achievements," Anna said.
The liquid chromatograph benefits both chemistry and biology students by enabling analysis of pharmaceuticals and food products. This function is especially relevant for Odesa, a port city involved in oil and grain transit.
The device was acquired through the laboratory equipment modernization program under the joint project between the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine and the World Bank, called “Ukraine Improving Higher Education for Results Project” (UIHERP).
Ukrainian universities have faced challenges with outdated facilities and obsolete laboratory tools. The ongoing war has worsened these issues by destroying educational infrastructure.
As part of UIHERP, the World Bank invested $200 million to modernize Ukrainian universities and supply updated laboratory equipment. To date, $3.3 million worth of devices—such as liquid chromatographs, spectrophotometers, centrifuges, thermal cyclers, and digital management systems—have been delivered to 43 universities serving nearly 103,000 students.
Karazin University in Kharkiv introduced Eastern Europe’s first robotic bioprinter through this initiative. The bioprinter enables creation of tissue equivalents like skin or bone for use in medicine and pharmaceutical testing.
UIHERP also supports institutions that encourage female participation in STEM fields.
Despite ongoing air raid sirens and shelling since February 2022, education continues across Ukraine. The Ukrainian Center for Educational Quality Assessment has conducted four large computer-based assessments during this period. Some exams took place during nightly attacks; testing centers were equipped with shelters or even located within them to ensure continuity.
Digitalization efforts supported by UIHERP provided universities with server hardware, multimedia systems, and software platforms that allow remote learning and exam administration regardless of location—a crucial development for displaced students or those from occupied territories.
This year saw 289,696 participants take the National Multi-Subject Test for university admission at the bachelor’s level; another 156,665 sat tests for master’s or postgraduate programs. Thirty-three European countries have supported Ukraine’s digital testing efforts so that young people abroad can apply to domestic institutions.
Automated test scoring reduces educators’ workloads while improving accuracy and fairness through digital audit trails.
“Electronic exams are an independent selection process for candidates. The requirements are the same for everyone, and the approach is unified. The participant can choose any number of institutions to apply to," said Svitlana.
Digitalization also helps with distance learning and secure document handling—key needs during martial law when many had to evacuate or work remotely.
These modernization efforts aim to help Ukrainian students meet international standards in research and academics while laying groundwork for national recovery.