The Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine has approved detailed recommendations for higher education institutions in the event of prolonged power outages during the 2026-2027 autumn-winter period. The document proposes a flexible coordination system that divides university operations into five distinct modes depending on the scale and duration of the crisis.
Five Operating Modes and Technical Measures
Depending on the current situation, educational institutions will switch to specific scenarios. During short-term disruptions, studies continue without energy-intensive equipment, and critical systems are transferred to uninterrupted power supplies. In more complex situations, classes are moved to autonomous campus zones or completely transferred to an asynchronous format, and mass events are cancelled.
Crisis Management and University Autonomy
In the worst-case scenario, the management of the educational institution is transferred to a specially created "Crisis Headquarters", which distributes resources according to priority: safety, heat, water, communication, and the educational process. In unused buildings, network conservation can be carried out. At the same time, the MES emphasizes that university heads have sufficient autonomy to make independent decisions, but are obliged to coordinate their actions with local military administrations.
Contradictory Data
Despite clear regulations from the ministry, experts and student council representatives point out potential difficulties in implementing plans on the ground. Questions arise regarding the promptness of financing the purchase of powerful generators and uninterruptible power supplies for all buildings, as well as the readiness of shared shelter infrastructure under conditions of severe electricity shortages in large cities.
