Промо на dev.ua Around IT 18 April 2025, 13:57

The opportunities of American higher education multiplied by the potential of the Dnipro. American University Kyiv launches bachelor's programs in the Dnipro

In February 2022, three weeks before the full-scale invasion , the American University Kyiv (AUK) opened in Kyiv, a private university that provides an opportunity to obtain an American-style higher education and an American diploma in Ukraine. In 2024, AUK expanded its activities to the city of Dnipro, opening master’s programs there. And this fall, the university is launching programs for bachelor’s degrees. We talked about the peculiarities of American higher education, the role of Ukrainian business in the development of the country, and AUK in Dnipro with Oleksiy Shershnev, co-founder, vice president of AUK, and developer of infrastructure projects.

— Oleksiy, after your experience with projects in the field of medicine and rehabilitation of the wounded, how did you come up with the idea to go in a completely different direction and create an educational institution?

The idea of creating AUK came after conversations with my Georgian partners, who participated in the founding of Georgian American University — a university that has been providing American-style education in Georgia for over 20 years. They also became co-founders and first investors in AUK. And then businesses that have been operating in the Ukrainian and international markets for a long time joined — EPAM Systems, BGV Group Management, DTEK Academy, Brain, Channel Georgia Consulting, DBEF Group and others.

We managed to attract a powerful educational partner — Arizona State University (ASU), one of the largest and most prestigious universities in the USA, which is #1 in innovation among universities in the country. We also found a top building in Kyiv, which after restoration became a campus for AYU students and an example of how a pearl of monumental architecture can be ethically transformed into a modern space.

My mission was to unite investors around the AYK project and create an ecosystem of partners. In life, like on a journey: the further you go, the further the horizon recedes, the wider you see. Real development never ends. That’s why we continue to move forward, we have big plans and ambitions.

— Speaking of ambitions. Why American education?

According to the authoritative QS World University Rankings, American universities have been among the best in the world for years in a row. Why? They are leaders in science and technology, have huge budgets for R&D (research and development) and a flexible education system, that is, students form their own curriculum and can change their specialty. American higher education is also focused on applied knowledge, career potential and self-motivation: students study what has practical application, and the high costs of obtaining education are later compensated by higher income in a better position.

— Over the three years of its existence, AYUK has made a significant breakthrough. How was it possible to achieve such success and what fundamentally distinguishes studying at AYUK?

First of all, the breakthrough was possible due to the fact that both partners and the first students believed in our idea of creating a new top university in Ukraine. We really appreciate this trust! Currently, more than 450 students are studying in six bachelor’s and three master’s programs. AYUK is in the top 4 Ukrainian universities by the highest NMT scores, which means that the best applicants choose us. 94% of students are satisfied with the quality of education at AYUK.

We are living in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, when the very role of humans in the digital world is being redefined. Technology poses new challenges, but also opens up limitless opportunities for those who are willing to learn, adapt, and think strategically. This also applies to higher education.

Thanks to our partnership with Arizona State University, our students gain access to educational programs, research, faculty, and other benefits of one of the top universities in the United States. They also have the opportunity to earn two diplomas — Ukrainian and American — by studying from Ukraine online or directly at the ASU campus in the United States.

As part of the Global Partnership Program, which I oversee, Ukrainian and international businesses provide talented Ukrainian youth with grants that fully cover the cost of studying at AYU.

One of the most striking examples is our partnership with CreditWest Bank, which began at the end of last year. This cooperation is especially valuable for us because it is comprehensive: the bank not only opened the door for internships for AYK students, giving them the opportunity to gain real experience in the financial sector, but also established five scholarships for bachelors of the Global Finance program. This is more than just support — it is a joint investment in the development of the financial market and the training of future leaders in the industry.

We also have a Scholarship Fund, which, as a sign of our deep respect, covers the cost of education for veterans, spouses, and children of the fallen Heroes of Ukraine.

— Such a holistic approach is admirable. And what are AYUK’s plans for the future?

First of all, we continue to actively develop: we aim to grow to 5,000 students, so we are working on the academic and technological conditions for this. In particular, we are launching two new bachelor’s programs in the fall — in psychology and digital design.

I like the idea of decentralization — when each region competes to have businesses and offices of national and international companies open in them, competes for human capital. Such competition promotes development and creates better opportunities.

We are committed to ensuring that Ukrainian youth remain in Ukraine, receive decent conditions for work and life here. Part of our development strategy is to open AYUK programs not only in Kyiv, but also in other cities.

So, last year, thanks to the support of the Dnipro business communities, we launched the Global Management and Technology Leadership & AI master’s programs in the city: regional business fully covered the training for 32 master’s degrees. And this fall, we are launching bachelor’s programs in Dnipro as well.

— Why did Dnipro become the first city of AYU expansion?

We held many meetings and negotiations in different cities, studying the «regional climate», the saturation of universities and their offers. In Dnipro, we were impressed by the proactivity, strategic vision and foresight of the business community, their desire to invest in the economic and technological development of the region.

Today, you won’t surprise anyone with investments in goods or services. But at the top of my personal ranking are those who invest in people, education, and knowledge. Because this is where deep meanings, better technologies, products, and services are born.

Therefore, I want to thank the INSPIRA business club, LEAD, IT Dnipro Community for their unprecedented leadership, initiative, and support. As well as the Menorah Center team, which offered a space for our students to study. Having such partners and space is priceless!

— Tell us a little more about the AYU bachelor’s programs in Dnipro.

If we compare the cost of obtaining an American education at AYUK and at any university in the United States or Europe — all other things being equal — AYUK has a significant financial advantage. We understand perfectly well that due to the security situation and general uncertainty, many Ukrainian families with students are considering the option of studying abroad. However, we sincerely support talented young people staying at home, with their family and friends, and building their successful future here.

Today, Ukraine really needs people with the right values, a global outlook and experience, fluent English, and advanced management skills — to launch new and develop sustainable businesses, implement modern solutions, attract investments, and participate in the country’s recovery.

That is why, with the support of our partners and patrons, we plan to provide up to 200 grants to cover tuition for bachelor’s programs at the AYU in Dnipro. This is not a gift, but our joint strategic investment in the potential of the region and the country.

Already now, applicants who meet the requirements for admission to AYU — have high NMT scores, speak English at level B2 and above — can apply for one of the bachelor’s programs that will start in Dnipro this year. These are: Global Management, Marketing Science, Retail Management, and Software Engineering & AI.

All bachelor’s programs include practical modules, introduction to guest lecturers from the industry, as well as business cases, including from leading Ukrainian companies — ATB, Comfy, Nova Poshta, Kormotekh, BGV, etc. Training will be conducted in English, offline at the Menorah Center, and online through access to educational resources 24/7. By 2030, as the number of students increases, we plan to open a separate campus in the city.

Our common goal with our partners is that a future student of the AYUK in Dnipro will never regret their decision to obtain higher education and stay in Ukraine.

About American University Kyiv

American University Kyiv is a private university that offers high standards of American education in Ukraine through a partnership with Arizona State University, one of the largest and most prestigious universities in the United States. AUK students have the opportunity to earn dual Ukrainian and American degrees, as well as undergo paid internships in multicultural teams of leading companies in Ukraine and abroad (CCI, 7-eleven, Logistics Plus, Doka, RAND, JP Morgan, CreditWest, etc.).