Andrii Dykun, Chairman of the Ukrainian Agri Council, took part in a round table discussion entitled “Public-private partnership and dual education for the development of Ukraine's agricultural sector.”

Today, despite the challenges of full-scale war, the industry is acutely feeling the shortage of professional personnel and the outflow of young people abroad, as well as the lack of awareness among young people about career opportunities in agriculture.

“We honestly admit that the agricultural sector, like many other industries, suffers from a shortage of young professionals. Some young people have left to study or live abroad, while others simply do not understand the opportunities that agriculture offers. This needs to be changed,” Andrii Dykun emphasized.

During the discussion, representatives of the UAC, together with agricultural producers, conveyed the community's position: at all levels of education, from vocational schools to universities, business should be involved in the development of educational programs.

Agricultural companies are interested in training specialists whom they will subsequently employ in order to jointly develop one of the key sectors of the state.

Agricultural producers expressed their willingness to accept students for internships, share their experience during lectures and seminars, provide their suggestions for educational programs, and develop dual forms of training.

It is public-private partnerships that can have a systemic effect and ensure the high-quality training of future specialists for the agricultural sector.

The round table was attended by representatives of the Committee on Education, Science, and Innovation of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, Uman National University of Horticulture, Uman State Pedagogical University, local authorities, relevant associations - UAC, AMP, APBU - and agricultural enterprises. The participants discussed the current challenges and priorities of agricultural education reform.

“Thank you for the invitation and constructive dialogue. We have interesting common ideas for the development of agricultural education and will continue to work together,” concluded Andrii Dykun.