The DEFEP project, which aims to develop distance education as a separate, sustainable form of higher education, is approaching the stage of scaling and expanding the experiment. At this stage, each of the partner HEIs in Ukraine adds new Educational program to the first experimental programs of the second (master’s) level of higher education.
In order to share the experience of the first pilot program “Software Engineering” at the Petro Mohyla Black Sea National University, a joint meeting of the DEFEP team and interested faculties was held in May, 2025. During the meeting, the guarantor of the educational program, Candidate of Technical Sciences, Associate Professor Yevhen DAVYDENKO shared the achievements of the first year of piloting, explained the peculiarities of the transformation of the program and changes in the curriculum, focused on the advantages and challenges, the need to prepare educational content using an electronic platform, and the possibility of training applicants from other regions and abroad. Dean of the Faculty of Computer Science, Candidate of Technical Sciences, Associate Professor Angela BOYKO described the specifics of administering distance learning programs, channels of communication and support for applicants. DEFEP Project Coordinator Olena FILIMONOVA, Candidate of Economical Sciences, drew attention to the team’s general achievements in developing distance learning methodologies, institutional and regulatory support, and approaches to advanced training of teaching staff to ensure quality education.
The meeting was joined by the Dean of the Faculty of Philology, Candidate of Pedagogical Sciences, Associate Professor Liudmyla SHERSTIUK and the Dean of the Faculty of Law, Candidate of Law, Associate Professor Dmytro SICHKO, who plan to open competitive proposals for admission to distance master’s programs at the Petro Mohyla Black Sea National University this year.
We thank our colleagues for their interest in the DEFEP project and willingness to support the development of distance education.