In December 2025, Volodymyr Zhezhukha, Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs and Quality of Education, Lviv Polytechnic National University, became a participant in the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) – one of the most prestigious professional exchange programs implemented by the U.S. Department of State. Participation took place on the basis of an official invitation from the US Embassy in Ukraine.
The program U.S. Approaches to Market-Driven Education focused on American practices in market-oriented education, including the development of qualifications, accreditation mechanisms, collaboration between educational institutions and the labour market, and guidance for students’ professional development.
The Ukrainian delegation consisted of eight representatives from state authorities and educational institutions, including the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, the State Education Quality Service of Ukraine, the National Agency for Higher Education Quality Assurance, as well as universities and professional colleges. The program covered four U.S. cities – Washington, Cincinnati, Providence, and Boston – and featured an intensive schedule of professional meetings. The program was organized by American Councils for International Education.
― In Washington, we focused on issues of educational policy and quality assurance in higher education. We participated in meetings with representatives of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), engaged in discussions with experts from Credential Engine on digital qualification registers, microcredentials, and the challenges of verifying educational achievements in the context of digitalization and AI. We also explored the autonomy of educational institutions, the decentralized nature of the U.S. higher education system, and the role of states in its regulation», said Volodymyr Zhezhukha.
In Cincinnati, the program dealt with the practical integration of education with communities and the labour market. The delegation visited Gateway Community & Technical College, where they examined the two-year education model aligned with business needs, as well as the dual credit system through the example of Ignite Institute.
The final stage of the program took place in Boston, one of the leading educational and innovation centers in the United States. The participants visited Northeastern University, where they got acquainted with the Co-op program, which combines classroom learning with paid professional experience, and also took part in the presentation of the Springpod/Powering Career platform, aimed at supporting the professional self-determination of young people. The overview part included a visit to the Harvard University campus and acquaintance with the educational environment of the city, in which MIT is organically integrated.
The Vice-Rector emphasized that the knowledge and connections gained through the IVLP are highly valuable for the continued development of Lviv Polytechnic, particularly in areas such as practice-oriented education, collaboration with employers, creation of flexible educational pathways, support for veterans, and a strategic understanding of the role of professional colleges and non-university education.
He also expressed sincere gratitude to the U.S. Department of State, American Councils for International Education, representatives of the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine, the IVLP team in Washington and the regions, translators, and to Vilma Elisa Fuentes, Director of the Special Ukraine Group program at Florida State University, for her consistent support of Ukraine and her personal engagement.
