In December in Warsaw was held an international conference "Elites, public dialogue and reform of higher education with the participation of scientists Poland, Belarus, Ukraine, Russia, and Slovakia. Among participants was Ukrainian Minister of Education. In report Minister said that the expansion of university autonomy has been and remains one of the priorities of educational policy.

In its report, "University Autonomy and the reform of higher education. The situation in Ukraine", Education Minister Ivan Vakarchuk first emphasized that there is a direct connection between the quality of higher education and increase of university autonomy and accountability of higher educational institutions for their own activities.

To date, the limits of autonomy of higher educational institutions were in law "About education". In early December 2008 a bill changes the law (http://www.mon.gov.ua/newstmp/2008/10_12/doc3.doc). Under the new bill, the increase in university autonomy includes several components.

Firstly, it’s increasing of financial autonomy of universities. The bill provides the University the right to dispose of the funds received for the provision of paid services, authorize intellectual property, open bank accounts and use bank loans. The other side of the financial autonomy of the university - is able to approve the staffing to determine the volume of the load for scientific and educational workers.

Secondly, it is granting universities the right to take a final decision on the awarding of degrees and academic ranks.

Under the new bill, changes undergoing base for the third educational cycle. Universities will give degree of Doctor of Philosophy in a particular industry (PhD).

In addition, the new bill contains provisions on ensuring academic mobility of students and teachers, particularly in the joint with foreign universities academic programs.