Hanna Zamazeeva: “Universities Must Be Not Only Centers of Knowledge, but Centers of Change. If We Aim to Rebuild the Energy Sector, Transition to a Low-Carbon Economy, and Integrate into the EU, We Need a New Generation of Professionals.”
This message was clearly articulated at the forum “Ukrainian Contour of the Future: How Business and Universities Build the Country’s Capacity,” organized by the Professional Association of Environmentalists of the World.
The event became a platform for dialogue among representatives of government, business, academia, and the expert community on how to create a new ecosystem of knowledge and skills necessary for the country’s transformation.
During the forum, the Head of the State Agency on Energy Efficiency emphasized that business in Ukraine is rapidly changing under the influence of European Union requirements. Companies are already striving to meet decarbonization criteria, introducing carbon footprint assessment systems, transitioning to ESG reporting, and adapting supply chains to new standards of transparency and responsibility.
That is why the labor market needs professionals of an entirely new level—those with competencies in energy auditing, emissions management, energy management, and tools for calculation, monitoring, and certification. Changes in business standards are not a matter of the future—they are already happening. However, the pace of training new specialists significantly lags behind, and it is universities that must bridge this gap.
A similar situation exists in local communities. There is funding, equipment, and international support—but often there is a shortage of people who can competently design, install, and implement modern solutions.
“Universities need to integrate modern competencies and knowledge of EU requirements and standards into their curricula, build internal governance based on sustainability principles—energy-efficient campuses, transparency, and responsible resource use. Most importantly, they must teach students systems thinking: from emissions reduction to risk management and the development of resilient communities and cities,” emphasized Hanna Zamazeeva.
The forum brought together not only managers and business representatives, but also lecturers and university leaders. These institutions shape the new professionals without whom no strategy can be translated into real projects and tangible results.
The demand for a new generation of energy managers, decarbonization analysts, green economy experts, and sustainable development professionals is growing every year. It is crucial that universities become the environment where change leaders are born—those who will shape the energy, environmental, and economic future of Ukraine.
The State Agency on Energy Efficiency is open to partnership and ready to involve universities and students in joint efforts, support new courses, programs, and projects with communities and businesses, and share knowledge and expertise. Universities can and must become a driving force for the development of every community in Ukraine.
We are grateful to the organizers for the invitation and for focusing on young people—those who will shape the energy and economic future of our country as early as tomorrow.
