6 лютого 2023 року
Despite the state of war and the correspondingly difficult conditions of stay in the country, 46 foreign citizens from the People's Republic of China entered the postgraduate program of NULES of Ukraine during the last academic year. It is quite interesting to talk with Elena Zheng, a citizen of the PRC, who was one of the first to enter the NULES of Ukraine back in 2021 and is a graduate of the educational and scientific program "Management".
Dear Elena, tell us about yourself and why you entered to the postgraduate program of NULES of Ukraine?
– In 2016 I stayed in Ukraine when I am finished master's degree at the Kyiv National University named after Taras Shevchenko. From 2019 until now, I have been working in an international educational center as a project manager. My main job is to promote cooperation in the field of educational and cultural exchange between Ukrainian, American and Chinese higher education institutions, as well as the guidance and management of Chinese students and post-graduate students during their studies in Ukraine. After some time, I understanded that my professional skills are, unfortunately, limited, so currently I want to continue my studies and get a PhD. Thanks to my work with Ukrainian universities, I was well acquainted with NULES of Ukraine, so without hesitation I chose it for my own self-development.
What are your impressions after admission and which direction of dissertation research was chosen?
– In September 2021, I successfully passed the entrance exams and entered graduate school in the specialty 073 "Management". After communicating with the scientific supervisor – Professor Tetiana Balanovska regarding my work and the direction of the post-graduate research, we decided to choose the next topic of my dissertation: "Formation of the quality management system of educational services of a higher education institution". After that, my topic was approved by the Academic Council of the faculty.
How did the full-scale invasion of the aggressor on the territory of Ukraine affect you? What is your impression of the resumption of studies at the graduate school of NULES of Ukraine?
Please tell us about the achievements of your educational and scientific component and the role of the scientific supervisor in it.
– Although the events of the difficult year 2022 affected my studies and work, I achieved a lot in that year. At the moment, I have already completed all the theoretical disciplines according to the postgraduate curriculum and am working on scientific research. Here I would like to thank our dean Anatolii Ostapchuk and scientific supervisor Tetiana Balanovska for their support and understanding. I am very glad that my scientific research is combined with my work in the aspect of studying the formation quality service system in recent years, which will be useful for the youth learning management services in universities in the future.
What are your expectations from studying at a graduate school?
– I am sure that soon the war will finished with the victory of Ukraine. Teaching quality management will be updated and improved in response to changes in the general environment, and people's desire for knowledge will become stronger and stronger. I am ready to apply my professional knowledge and experience in my work so that more Chinese universities and Chinese applicants can learn about Ukrainian culture, education and wonderful Ukrainian universities.
Thank you Elena Zheng for an interesting conversation and sincere answers. We wish success to all our graduate students, powerful scientific achievements on the way to obtaining the degree of Doctor of Philosophy.
Nadiia Minialo
Deputy Head of the Postgraduate Department
Translated Oksana Havrysh