OSCE helps develop standard for legal education of bachelor degree-students in Ukraine

KYIV, 9 November 2015 – A draft state standard for legal education at bachelor degree-level, developed with the help of the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine, was presented to the legal community and handed over to the Education and Science Ministry at an event in Kyiv on Monday.

The standard sets out the minimum requirements of the course content for law students in obtaining a bachelor degree. It also defines the scope of professional training, lists competences, skills and learning outcomes that should be acquired by students, and outlines the criteria for evaluating students on the knowledge they have received.

“Recognizing the fundamental role of legal professionals and lawyers in strengthening the rule of law in the country, I believe that ensuring high-quality legal education in law schools is an investment in youth, as quality education in this sphere remains an essential precondition for the further democratic development of Ukraine,” said Vaidotas Verba, the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine.

The draft was developed with the prominent role of the Law Faculty of Ivan Franko Lviv National University and representatives of other law schools from across Ukraine. Before finalization, the draft was widely discussed at nationwide events with the involvement of officials from the Education and Science Ministry, and was also analysed by international experts.

The presentation of the draft state standard was supported by the USAID FAIR Justice project.

The OSCE Project Co-ordinator has been co-operating with laws schools and assisting the government of Ukraine in improving legal education on various levels since 2006.