Committee on Formal and Non-Formal Education: Mission, Projects, and Leadership
Education is the foundation upon which all innovations are built. It shapes not only individual professionals but also a country's human capital to meet the challenges of the modern world. At Techosystem, we are convinced that quality education is one of the ways to fostering an environment for successful entrepreneurs, developing tech companies, and implementing advanced solutions.
Months of work by a dedicated task force revealed a significant gap in Ukraine’s product education system, which lacks systemic and modern approach to developing entrepreneurial skillset. Young professionals often face a disconnect between academic knowledge and real market demands in technological ecosystem. Universities frequently lack the resources to implement innovative programs, stifling development.Understanding these challenges, Techosystem identified education as one of its core priorities. We believe that only the synergy between formal education—schools, universities, and science parks—and non-formal education, such as incubators, accelerators, online educational training and workshops, mentorship opportunities, and others, can drive positive change.
In response to these needs, in December 2024 Techosystem established Committee on Formal and Informal Education, uniting organization members to implement projects aimed at improving the level of skills necessary for the growth of startups
About Techosystem Committees and Clusters
Techosystem is not just an association but a dynamic ecosystem that is constantly evolving, growing, and uniting nearly 100 participants, including startups, scaleups, venture firms, tech companies, and industry experts. To effectively execute strategic goals, the organization creates committees and clusters.Committees in Techosystem are responsible for policy-making and developing long-term strategies. Their creation is preceded by task force efforts, which analyze market needs, shape visions, and draft project plans.
Currently, two committees operate within the organization:● Venture Investment Committee, which focuses on attracting capital, creating favorable conditions for startups, and connecting players in the venture market.● Formal and Informal Education Committee, aimed at reforming the way entrepreneurial skills are taught, integrating technologies into learning, and fostering collaboration between formal and in-formal education.
Clusters, meanwhile, concentrate on developing product verticals and executing collaborative projects. Out of 20 product domains, Techosystem has identified 8 strategic areas. Two clusters have already been institutionalized:● Techosystem Defense, working in the field of defense technologies.● Techosystem HR, focusing on HRTech development.Four additional clusters are slated for launch in the first quarter of 2025. Committees and clusters collaborate, creating a platform for developing not only specific sectors but the entire technological ecosystem of Ukraine.
Committee on Formal and Non-Formal Education: Mission, Projects, and Leadership
The mission of the Committee on Formal and Non-Formal Education is to create a bridge between the educational, technological, and business sectors to enhance collaboration, launch innovative solutions, and expand existing initiatives. Its vision is to become a platform for cooperation that accelerates positive changes in education and promotes its adaptation to modern societal and labor market needs.The main areas of work for the Committee include the integration of technologies into learning, support for innovative educational solutions, and the development of initiatives at the intersection of formal and non-formal education.
The Committee’s plans already include several specific projects aimed at changing approaches to learning entrepreneurship and collaboration. These include supporting university entrepreneurial ecosystem and creation of innovative scientific parks, developing workshops and training programs necessary for entrepreneurs, and creating ways to transform startup ideas into venture projects. The Committee will also work on organizing educational workshops, showcasing successful startup cases, preparing angel investors, and creating an expert base for the technological ecosystem. Another important area will be implementing internship programs for students in leading tech companies to strengthen the link between theory and practice.
The Committee is led by experienced leaders elected by the members, with a clear vision for education development:● Mykhailo Psiuk, founder and head of the Innovation Hub and Science Park at Zhytomyr Polytechnic, is the Head of the Committee and represents formal education.● Andrii Zaikin, founder of YEP Accelerator, serves as Deputy Head and represents non-formal education.
The unification of formal and non-formal education opens the door to transformative changes in Ukraine’s educational system. This approach enables creation of startups, preparation of highly skilled specialists, and fostering of collaboration on both national and international levels.
The Techosystem Committee on Formal and Non-Formal Education is a groundbreaking initiative, paving the way for a modern, practical education system aligned with the demands of the times.
Its efforts are supported by the Ukraine-Moldova American Enterprise Fund, which backs reform-driven and transformational projects in Ukraine.
