Professor of TNMU Participated in the National Round Table of Heads of Departments Specializing in Physical Therapy

On July 1–2, 2025, the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine hosted the third national round table of heads of departments of higher education institutions specializing in Physical Therapy. The event brought together department heads from Ukrainian universities, guarantors of educational programs in physical therapy, the professional community, representatives of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, and international partners.

The round table was opened by Mykhailo Vynnytskyi, Deputy Minister of Education and Science of Ukraine, who delivered a welcoming speech and presented a report “Reforming the Higher Education System in Ukraine.”

Serhii Ubohov, Head of the Department of Medical Personnel, Education, and Science at the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, also delivered a welcome address and presented a report on “Human Capital Development in the Healthcare System: Focusing on the Training of Highly Qualified Physical Therapists.”

Key speakers of the event included:

Maryna Mruha, State Expert on Higher and Adult Education at the Directorate of Vocational Pre-Higher and Higher Education of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, with a presentation “Transformation of Higher Education and Its Impact on Rehabilitation Education”;

Stepan Kobeliev, Secretary of the Board of the Ukrainian Association of Physical Therapy and Head of the Working Group for the Development of the Professional Standard “Physical Therapist”, who presented “The Professional Standard for Physical Therapists”;

Olena Lazarieva, Head of the Department of Therapy and Rehabilitation at the National University of Physical Education and Sports of Ukraine and National Education Consultant at Momentum Wheels for Humanity, who delivered presentations on “The Educational Standard for Physical Therapists” and “Licensing and Accreditation of Physical Therapy Educational Programs”;

Mykola Romanyshyn, a leading specialist in clinical education, who delivered several presentations: “Strengthening Physical Therapist Education”, “Physiotherapist Education Framework”, “Student Assessment During Clinical Practice According to the Educational Standard”, and “Discussion on the Clinical Component of Physical Therapist Education.”

Ternopil National Medical University was represented by Daria Popovych, Head of the Department of Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Physical Education.

The primary goal of the round table was to create a platform for establishing a common vision for the future of physical therapy in Ukraine, addressing current challenges, and strengthening the rehabilitation system through education that meets societal needs and modern standards.

During the meeting, participants discussed key issues such as:

reform of the higher education system and implementation of modern standards;

professional and educational standards for physical therapists;

clinical training, accreditation of programs, and student evaluation;

the transformation of rehabilitation education and its impact on the quality of specialist training.

Participants of the Third National Round Table of Heads of University Departments Specializing in Physical Therapy (Specialty I7.01) adopted a joint resolution with recommendations for improving educational programs and proposed the dissemination of best global practices in the training of physical therapists across Ukrainian higher education institutions.

Events like this are crucial to ensuring that up-to-date knowledge is implemented in clinical practice across Ukraine’s regions, thereby strengthening the rehabilitation system through education that aligns with societal needs and modern standards of higher education. They also contribute to the development of a modern approach to training highly qualified and competitive physical therapists in Ukraine.

The event was organized by the Rehab4U project, implemented by Momentum Wheels for Humanity Ukraine. The “Rehabilitation in Ukraine” (Rehab4U) project was made possible by the generous support of the American people. The project prioritizes enhancing management capacity in the rehabilitation system, improving physical rehabilitation services and access to assistive technologies, and promoting the inclusion of veterans and persons with disabilities in community life and Ukraine’s economic recovery.