A new rector was elected at Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv: who won and how many votes he received

Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv has determined the winner of the rector elections. He is Valeriy Kopiyka, who heads the Academic Council of the university. According to the results of the vote on October 27, 2026, he received 51.74% of the votes from the total number of voters who had the right to participate in the elections and won in the first round.

This is evidenced by the protocol of the election commission, published on the official website of the university.

Results of the elections of the rector of KNU

3105 out of 3823 voters who had the right to elect the head of the university took part in the vote.

Thus, the turnout was 81.3%.

According to the Statute of KNU, the elections are considered to have taken place if more than 50% of voters took part in the vote.

According to the results of the vote count, the candidates received:

Valeriy Kopiyka — 1973 votes (51.74%).
Hanna Tolstanova — 712 votes (18.62%).
Kseniya Smirnova — 159 votes (4.16%).
Oleksandr Korchenko — 77 votes (2.01%).

In addition, 130 voters did not support any candidate, and 49 ballots were declared invalid.

Since Valeriy Kopiyka received more than half of the votes from the total number of people who had the right to vote, a second round was not necessary.

Who is Valeriy Kopiyka

Valeriy Kopiyka was born on March 5, 1962 in Kyiv.

In 1984, he graduated from the Faculty of International Relations and International Law of the Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, earning the qualification of a specialist in international relations.

His professional activity has been associated with the university for many years.

In particular, he worked as an assistant and associate professor at the Department of International Relations and Foreign Policy of the Institute of International Relations.

He also headed the Center for European Documentation of the European Union at the Institute of International Relations.

In 2007–2008, Kopiyka held the position of Deputy Director of the Institute of International Relations for Academic Work.

Since 2009, he has headed the Institute of International Relations, and since 2021, the Educational and Scientific Institute of International Relations of KNU.

In April 2026, Valeriy Kopiyka became the acting rector of the university and worked in this position until September.

Subsequently, he was elected chairman of the Academic Council of Taras Shevchenko KNU.

When the new rector officially takes office

In accordance with the Law of Ukraine “On Higher Education”, the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine must conclude a contract with the newly elected head of the higher education institution.

The contract with Valeriy Kopiyka must be concluded for a period of five years within a month of his election.

Thus, after completing the procedures prescribed by law, he will be able to officially begin exercising the powers of the rector.

Why were the rector elections postponed

The Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine announced the competition for the position of rector of the Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv on March 2, 2026.

Initially, the elections were planned to be held on May 27, but later the voting date was postponed to October 27.

Previously, the university was headed by Volodymyr Bugrov, whose powers ended after the expiration of the contract.

In May 2026, the Ministry of Education and Science announced that he could not run for the position of rector again.

This decision is related to the resolution of the Shevchenko District Court of Kyiv dated February 27, 2026.

According to the report, the court found Volodymyr Bugrov guilty of committing an administrative offense provided for in Part Four of Article 172-6 of the Code of Ukraine on Administrative Offenses.

This is about submitting knowingly false information in a declaration.

What is known about the procedure for electing a rector

The elections of the head of a state higher education institution are held in accordance with the Law of Ukraine “On Higher Education” and internal documents of the university.

To win in the first round, a candidate must receive more than half of the votes of persons entitled to participate in the elections.

If none of the candidates receives the required number of votes, a second round is scheduled.

In the case of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, the winner was determined immediately.

According to the results of the vote on October 27, Valeriy Kopiyka received the support of the majority of voters and became the winner of the election of the rector of one of the largest universities in Ukraine.