Kyiv School of Economics 2024
war time report

Dear World Academic Community and KSE Friends

Enrollment and New Academic Initiatives 

In 2024, KSE University continued its growth trajectory, admitting 600 new students and surpassing last year’s figures. The University launched two new engineering master’s programs: 

• MA in Electrical Engineering (supported by ETH Zurich) 

• MA in Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) 

These programs received immediate interest, enrolling 40 and 94 students, respectively. Furthermore, KSE introduced its first-ever PhD programs in economics, social sciences, mathematics, computer science, and history, admitting 16 PhD candidates. 

KSE’s admission campaigns continued to outperform national benchmarks. All bachelor’s programs ranked in the top four by average admission scores. As in previous years, the Economics and Big Data undergraduate program maintained its first-place ranking nationwide. IT programs strengthened their positions, with Software Engineering now fourth, Artificial Intelligence second, and Cybersecurity first. 

Faculty and Academic Talent 

KSE attracted high-calibre local and international academics to bolster teaching and research excellence. Professor Volodymyr Kulyk (Political Science) and Professor Mariia Vlasenko (Mathematics) joined KSE from the United States and Poland, respectively. Yale University’s Jason Stanley was appointed as a Distinguished Professor of Philosophy. The new

Engineering School welcomed faculty from Kyiv Polytechnic, while Computer Science programs engaged visiting faculty from UCU, including Professor Dmytro Fishman. 

Students and Their Achievements 

In 2024, KSE enrolled: 

• 130 students in engineering programs 

• 313 students in bachelor’s programs 

• 179 students in master’s programs 

The incoming class achieved an average NMT score of 173, significantly above the national average of 149, placing KSE on par with leading Ukrainian institutions like NaUKMA, KNU, and UCU. 

Students continued to excel beyond the classroom: 

• A team of first-year law students secured 2nd place in a national Moot Court tournament, outperforming more senior competitors. 

• Undergraduate students won 2nd place at an international hackathon in Estonia. 

• Urban Studies students uniquely represented Ukraine at the World Urban Forum in Cairo.

• A team of undergraduate students qualified for the national selection in the 2024 International Collegiate Programming Contest (ICPC) Southeastern Europe Regional Contest.

Degree Programs and New Educational Space(2024) 

In 2024, despite the extraordinary challenges posed by the ongoing conflict, KSE University demonstrated remarkable resilience, significantly improving both its academic offerings and the overall student experience. The University has undertaken a comprehensive transformation of its educational approach, introducing advanced teaching methodologies, significantly modernizing its technological infrastructure, and introducing highly adaptive learning options designed to provide maximum flexibility and support to students navigating these unprecedented circumstances. 

To effectively accommodate our rapidly growing student community, which has doubled in size, we opened new facilities nearby our main campus. This new space for students is used as a complement to the main campus. These infrastructural improvements have greatly enhanced the quality and opportunities for our students to learn and grow. Currently, classes are being held there for students in Psychology and Law, as well as occasionally for students in Software Engineering and Business Economics.

New and Expanded Programs: 

• MA Programs: Public Policy and Governance, Social Psychology, Urban Studies and Post-war Reconstruction, Memory and Public History, Economic Analysis, Business and Financial Economics, Electrical Engineering, UAVs. 

• PhD Programs: Economics, Sociology, Political Science, Public Governance, History, Mathematics, Computer Science. 

• BA Programs: Business Economics, Economics and Big Data, Software Development and Business Analysis, Law, Cybersecurity, Psychology, Artificial Intelligence, Applied Mathematics.

In 2024, KSE University’s commitment to excellence was validated when the German accreditation agency ZEvA assessed and accredited four economics-focused programs: the BA in Business Economics, BA in Economics and Big Data, MA in Economic Analysis, and MA in Business and Finance Economics. This accomplishment reflects our adherence to rigorous German federal regulations and European Standards and Guidelines (ESG) in higher education, showcasing the high quality of our governance, management, and academic delivery. By joining the ranks of over 3,000 accredited European programs, KSE University reinforces its position as a reputable institution that provides top-tier education aligned with international best practices.

KSE faculty members contributed over 70 academic publications across various disciplines, addressing contemporary challenges. Their work, published in high-impact international journals and with leading academic presses, not only advanced the frontiers of knowledge in economics, political science, history, sociology, psychology, and engineering but also addressed urgent contemporary challenges. In total, KSE faculty produced over 70 scientific publications in 2024, reflecting both the breadth of their expertise and their commitment to tackling issues—from the political economy of wartime Ukraine and global food security to the evolution of national identities and the psychology of conflict resolution. This impressive publication record underscores KSE’s role as a vibrant intellectual hub that informs policy, guides international dialogue, and fosters academic excellence. 

In 2024, KSE expanded its marketing and outreach strategies, hosting 263 targeted events with a particular emphasis on the admissions process. Unlike the previous year’s late start, the University launched its marketing efforts as early as February, setting the stage for a more effective, sustained campaign. These initiatives led to over 5,000 direct interactions with potential applicants, nurturing a deeper understanding of KSE’s offerings and fostering a strong sense of connection among prospective students. 

Online, the University’s presence grew significantly. A robust digital advertising program—anchored by Google Ads and focused social media marketing—generated more than 327,000 visits to KSE’s online platforms, reinforcing the University’s brand visibility and credibility. Meanwhile, a dedicated team of student “ambassadors” played an instrumental role in bringing exceptional candidates on board. By personally engaging with talented youth at national Olympiads and math competitions across Ukraine, these ambassadors identified and inspired more than 50 top-tier prospects to consider KSE. Together, these coordinated efforts underscore KSE’s proactive and adaptive approach to admissions marketing, ensuring a steady pipeline of bright, motivated students for the years ahead.

International funds for research. In 2023, KSE University was granted institutional support from the European Research Infrastructure (ERIC) to conduct the European Social Survey in 2024. Under the framework of the European Commission, KSE has been approved to participate in ‘ValEUS,’ a collaborative project led by our partners at Viadrina University and supported by the European Commission. The project’s aim is to develop educational materials about Ukraine. Additionally, KSE secured funding alongside Södertörn University and Stockholm School of Economics for research on socio-economic changes in Ukraine.

Faculty, research, and teaching. From November 2022 to November 2023, our faculty published 32 peer-reviewed papers. These publications were chiefly supported by the UMass fellowship for non-residential scholars, joint projects with the KSE Institute in agricultural economics and decentralization fields, and EU-CIVICA internships. Additionally, three special edited volumes are underway, spearheaded by KSE staff for European Societies, the Journal of Comparative Economics, and the Journal of Public Finance and Public Choice.

The faculty count, including both core and visiting members, has significantly increased owing to new programs, on-site summer schools, and workshops. The undergraduate programs now have 38 full-time teaching faculty (3 holding international PhDs), while the graduate programs boast 29 full-time instructors (10 with international PhDs). Our new faculty members range from industry professionals like IT managers and law practitioners to academics with international PhDs. Athena Small, formerly of the University of Virginia, has relocated to Kyiv to join our core faculty.

Summer schools and workshops. Jason Stanley, the Jacob Urowsky Professor of Philosophy at Yale University and author of ‘How Fascism Works?’ and ‘How Propaganda Works?,’ visited KSE in the summer. He taught a summer course on Colonialism and Fascism, attracting over 500 students who attended his lectures both offline and online.

In 2024, the KSE Foundation continued to support the development of STEM education in Ukraine by assisting the Ukrainian localization team of Khan Academy. Thanks to these efforts, and with the active involvement of KSE students in adapting the materials, Ukrainian schoolchildren gained free access to high-quality educational resources in mathematics, tailored to the national context. This team goes beyond mere translation: they produce their video lessons, prepare notes and tests, use interactive formats, and make even the most complex topics engaging and accessible. Such an approach ensures continuous learning, regardless of circumstances, and highlights the practical value of mathematical knowledge in everyday life. The dedicated work of the KSE Foundation, together with KSE students and the localization team, creates a unique educational environment where learners not only acquire knowledge but also find motivation and enjoyment in the learning process.

In 2024, KSE Institute expanded its research output, publishing policy briefs, analytical reports, and academic articles. These publications provided evidence-based insights to guide policymakers, inform economic and social reforms, and address the pressing challenges facing Ukraine’s economy and governance structures. From analyzing labour market shifts and infrastructure rebuilding efforts to examining the effects of EU integration and conflict-related policy frameworks, KSE Institute’s work offered rigorous, data-driven perspectives on crucial national and regional issues. Through close collaboration with government agencies, international organizations, and industry partners, the Institute shaped informed decision-making and reinforced KSE’s role as a trusted source of expertise and thought leadership.

In 2024, the Kyiv School of Economics (KSE) continued its remarkable growth, earning recognition as one of Ukraine’s top five fundraisers, according to Forbes. Thanks to robust donor retention—100% among our top three international donors and 80% among our top ten Ukrainian donors—KSE not only solidified its existing support base but also successfully expanded it. New partnerships with organizations such as UMAEF, the Government of Lithuania, the Simons Foundation, and XTX helped diversify funding and underpin our strategic initiatives.

This solid financial foundation enabled a sharper focus on education. KSE accelerated support for its Engineering School and extended the reach of Khan Academy and DaVinci learning programs, ensuring high-quality STEM education is accessible to a growing number of students. In parallel, KSE broadened its commitment to building resilience across economic and governmental sectors, equipping communities, institutions, and individuals with the resources and knowledge needed to navigate ongoing challenges.

The impact of these efforts is evident in our engagement with over 1,350 active donors and the 24,000 individuals positively affected by our humanitarian projects. Moreover, our defense-focused initiatives, grounded in evidence-based policies and strategies, contributed to saving approximately 5,000 lives. With 423 KSE University grantees actively benefiting from this network of support and opportunity, KSE stands at the forefront of a transformative and resilient educational ecosystem. In 2024, KSE and its partners continued efforts to support education, research, and Ukraine’s long-term development.

The newly established Office of International Affairs has successfully secured significant European Commission grants (Horizon and Jean Monnet), further expanding KSE’s global footprint. Notably, our Horizon project, “Bridge,” positions KSE as the main partner alongside Berlin Technical University and Tartu University as contractors. Additionally, the office has bolstered student exchange programs with Bocconi, the University of Houston, and UMass, while sustaining the UMass research fellowships. KSE’s leadership team was strengthened by Alexandra Vacroux, who joined us in Kyiv from Harvard’s Davis Center as the Vice President for Global Partnerships, further enhancing our international profile.

The KSE International Advisory Board welcomed three distinguished figures: HURI Director Serhii Plokhii, Fields Medalist Maryna Viazovska, and Nobel Laureate Oleksandra Matviichuk, expanding our expertise in the fields of history, mathematics, and human rights. KSE faculty also engaged internationally through fellowships at UMass and George Washington’s Elliott School, teaching at the University of Virginia Commonwealth, and delivering visiting lectures at the University of Toronto, Harvard University, and Viadrina. Our faculty actively contributes to global understanding by publishing in international outlets such as The Boston Globe and providing commentary for NPR.

KSE’s academic mission seamlessly integrates with social impact initiatives. Distinguished Professor Jason Stanley exemplified this by delivering impactful lectures on “Erasing History,” which emphasized the preservation of cultural identity amidst conflict. In solidarity, he donated his honorarium to fund scholarships for Ukrainian students and support essential drone training for Ukraine’s defence—an act resonating as a powerful statement from the global intellectual community affirming that Ukraine’s story matters.

“KSE participated in international advocacy efforts, including the ‘Run for Freedom’ event, organized in collaboration with American historian Timothy Snyder. Dedicated to raising awareness for Ukrainian prisoners of war, this run united global supporters, underscoring KSE’s capacity to foster solidarity far beyond Ukraine’s borders. Beyond advocacy, KSE contributes to the discussions on the future of national reconstruction. Through the World Urban Forum (Cairo), KSE faculty and students shaped the perception of Ukraine in the community of urban scholars. Collaborating with UNICEF and the Olena Zelenska Foundation, KSE launched the “Future Index,” a comprehensive report on the welfare of Ukrainian children. This data-driven initiative provides a critical perspective on the needs of the next generation amidst the ongoing conflict.

The meeting discussed the common vision of the project and planned the next steps. The total duration of the project is three years, and during this time, numerous training events, studies, and initiatives are planned to develop research and practice of participatory governance at the local level. One of the important stages will be the implementation of a pilot public assembly in Ukraine. This innovative initiative will combine offline and online formats to engage more community members in discussions on key issues of reconstruction and development. Expert support for this process will be provided by our partners from the Berlin University of Technology, who have been studying and practicing public assemblies in Germany and other European countries for several decades.