KAI President Semenova: our management model, legal form provide autonomy all other universities want

Kseniia Semenova, President of the National University Kyiv Aviation Institute (KAI), claims that her institution's management model and organizational-legal structure grant it the autonomy that many other universities desire but are unwilling to attain. The supervisory board, which represents the state's interests and ensures they are considered during management decisions, is a crucial component of this autonomy.

Comprised of seven members with diverse expertise, the supervisory board handles critical tasks such as management, document analysis, strategy development, and financial planning. Semenova emphasized that the board operates independently, making strategic decisions and final judgments, while the president retains the ability to share her perspective.

The president pointed out that the old system lacks the opportunity for external experts to introduce new ideas, making the current structure essential. However, she acknowledged that the Academic Council remains responsible for internal matters, preserving the institution's unique expertise. When asked about concerns that the supervisory board might be manipulated by the Ministry of Education and Science, Semenova defended KAI's position as one of the most state-independent universities, contrasting it with the centralized monitoring currently in place.

Semenova also addressed the composition of the supervisory board, stating that it should be independent and represent the state's interests, not student or staff self-government. The Academic Council and the Conference of the Labor Collective handle these aspects, ensuring the board remains focused on its primary responsibility.

Semenova emphasized that the board consists of professional specialists with expertise in governance, distinguishing it from political involvement. She highlighted that the supervisory board is a professional activity requiring specialized knowledge, which is different from the qualities required for leadership positions in student self-government bodies.

Kyiv Aviation Institute (KAI) is part of an experimental project launched in September 2024 by the Cabinet of Ministers, aimed at enhancing the role of supervisory boards in three universities. KAI joined the project, which includes Zaporizhia National University and Vasyl Stefanyk Precarpathian National University, along with the National Aviation University, which was recently reorganized into KAI.

Semenova envisions KAI aspiring to join the ranks of globally recognized institutions such as Finland's Aalto University, the Technical University of Munich, or Delft University of Technology. Over the next two to four years, the university aims to compete with prestigious universities in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Poland for prospective students.