On February 18, 2026, a meeting was held between the academic community and the candidate for the position of Rector of the Kharkiv State Academy of Design and Arts — Professor, Candidate of Art History, and Corresponding Member of the National Academy of Arts of Ukraine, Oleksandr SOBOLEV. The meeting was moderated by Ivan BONDARCHUK, Associate Professor of the Department of Architecture and Head of the KSADA Trade Union.

The safe space of the Academy brought together representatives of the academic community. During his speech, Oleksandr SOBOLEV outlined the main points of his election programme, which focus on the development of the Academy at a new stage. The candidate emphasised his vision of the Academy as a creative environment where new ideas, professions, and cultural meanings are born, shaping Ukraine’s image on the global stage.

He also presented a series of strategic objectives related to the educational process, scientific research, cooperation with businesses and international institutions, as well as the restoration and modernisation of the Academy’s infrastructure. Special emphasis was placed on the importance of preserving human potential.

Support for the candidate was expressed by Volodymyr NOSIENKOV, Professor of the Department of Monumental Painting; Volodymyr POHORELCHUK, Professor of the Department of Design; and Valentyna BORBUNIUK, Associate Professor of the Department of Intercultural Communication in Creative Industries.

Concluding the meeting, Oleksandr SOBOLEV expressed his gratitude to the staff for their support and cooperation during his previous term, stressing his readiness to continue implementing the strategic objectives for the Academy’s development.