100 lecturers, 1,000 students, and 440 graduates – professionals shaping a more digital and efficient Ukraine. These are the achievements of CDTO Campus after its first year. The institution focuses on developing leaders in digital transformation for public service. “This is just the beginning,” says the confident director of CDTO Campus, Galyna Pustova. She has every reason to be proud—there are no comparable programs in Europe or the USA.
An MC.today correspondent attended an exclusive event celebrating CDTO Campus’s first anniversary. In collaboration with Cisco Ukraine, we explore the growing demand for digital leadership education, how graduates put their skills into action, and what’s next for the program.
Content
Shaping the Future: Inside CDTO Campus
CDTO Campus breaks away from the conventional classroom setup with whiteboards and projectors. Instead, it feels like a glimpse into the future—minimalist design, neon-lit blue walls, and multiple large screens. Among them, a nearly three-meter-wide Room Kit EQX video conferencing system, provided by Cisco Ukraine, enhances the experience. This cutting-edge device features built-in cameras, ensuring that remote speakers, including guest lecturers, can see and engage with everyone in the room.
As the official ceremony began, Mykhailo Fedorov, Vice Prime Minister for Innovations, Education, Science, and Technology – and Minister of Digital Transformation, appeared on the screen.
“CDTOs are the driving force behind change. They introduce services that make life easier, enhance transparency, and cut through bureaucracy,” Fedorov stated. “Without them, digital transformation would remain just a concept.”
“Previously, there was no structured training for such specialists,” added Valeriya Ionan, Deputy Minister of Digital Transformation for European Integration, who attended the event in person. “That’s why we partnered to launch CDTO Campus—empowering digital leaders with cutting-edge expertise in AI, cybersecurity, and digital infrastructure, ensuring they can apply their skills immediately.”
Specialists from the Ministry of Digital Transformation and the East Europe Foundation—the project’s implementing partner—reviewed over 200 digitalization programs worldwide to bring the best global and Ukrainian practices into the initiative. International donors such as GIZ, Visa, and USAID have lent their support.
Over the past year, the campus has introduced 12 training programs, many developed in partnership with global leaders like Cisco, Microsoft, and Apolitical. The faculty includes lecturers from Georgetown University and Stanford d.school. Anyone interested in joining innovative government projects and contributing to the country’s digital transformation can enroll in the program. You can choose a course and register on the CDTO Campus website.
CDTO Campus: A Hub for Innovation and Connections
Among the attendees were CDTO Campus alumni. Andrii Malakhov, Head of the Transformation Office at the state-owned Ukreximbank, is one of them—he graduated from the Digital Transformation in Public Governance program.
“The training at CDTO Campus enabled my team and me to develop Melania, an AI-powered assistant,” Malakhov explained. “It streamlines workflows by handling user requests, assisting with video presentations, and optimizing processes.”
He also emphasized the strong community among students and graduates: “I connected with people who are truly passionate about driving digital transformation in Ukraine. Now, when I need expertise or support for digital initiatives, I have a trusted network to reach out to.”
Another graduate who attended the anniversary, Yehor Razohriyev, General Director of Digital Development, Digital Transformation, and Digitalization at the Ministry of Justice, also agrees:
“CDTO Campus, for me, is all about the team and the community—a fantastic networking space that unites digital leaders.”
What’s Planned for 2025
According to Galyna Pustova, Director of CDTO Campus, three new educational programs are being introduced in 2025:
- AWS: Introduction to Cloud Technologies – An introduction to working with cloud services;
- Cisco: Cybersecurity Basics for Non-Technical Public Sector Professionals – Safeguarding information and tackling contemporary cyber threats;
- Cisco: Introduction to AI – Fundamental concepts and practical applications of artificial intelligence.
In 2025, CDTO Campus will launch four new faculties:
- GovTech Faculty – Creating digital solutions for the public sector.
- Cyber Faculty – Providing training in cybersecurity.
- AI Faculty – Implementing artificial intelligence technologies.
- Diia Faculty – Training to support the Diia ecosystem.
CDTO Campus has set an ambitious goal for 2025: to educate more than 500 students who will lead digital transformation.
We’re not just focused on education,” highlighted the Head of CDTO Campus. “Next year, we are launching an initiative to help digital leaders with finding employment.”
A comprehensive report on the project’s activities from 2023 to 2024 and its future plans can be found on the official CDTO Campus website.
The Student Space’s Equipment
Alongside relevant and up-to-date programs, CDTO Campus offers students access to the latest equipment. Cisco Ukraine, the space’s technological partner, has equipped the campus with the Room Kit EQX video conferencing system and Board Pro 55 and Board Pro 75 wireless boards. These tools are designed for video meetings and interactive presentations during lectures. Additionally, Cisco provided CDTO Campus with two Desk Pro devices, each featuring a 27-inch screen, for individual use during online sessions or in small team settings.
“As a matter of fact, even in Cisco Ukraine’s office, we have previous-generation versions of this equipment. If we want to show clients something truly cutting-edge, we will bring them to CDTO Campus,” noted Sergii Martynchuk, General Director of Cisco Ukraine.”
The collaboration with CDTO Campus was made possible through Cisco’s global initiative, Country Digital Acceleration (CDA), which aims to speed up the digital transformation of countries.
Sergii Martynchuk pointed out that although the project is only a year old and Cisco has been in operation for 40 years, there is still much the company can learn from CDTO Campus. When preparing the programs “Implementing Secure Digital Platforms” and “Introduction to AI in Simple Terms,” the Cisco team initially planned to use the pre-existing programs from Cisco Networking Academy.
“However, the campus’s request was so specific and unique that we developed entirely new courses,” explained Sergii Martynchuk, General Director of Cisco Ukraine. “Thus, we are evolving alongside CDTO Campus.”
Ukraine’s Journey to Becoming a Digital State
“Digitalization is fundamentally transforming the way individuals engage with the state. Year by year, this interaction becomes easier: obtaining certificates, selling cars, or registering marriages can now be done in just a few clicks,” noted Viktor Lyakh, President of the Eastern Europe Foundation. “Yet, these digital transformations are not random; they are the result of the dedicated efforts of leaders implementing them.”
At present, Ukraine ranks fifth among 193 countries in the Online Service Index (OSI), which evaluates the accessibility and quality of government-provided online services through official digital platforms. Viktor Lyakh believes that with the help of CDTO Campus, there will be even more digital change-makers. The President of the Eastern Europe Foundation is confident: “We are already capable of reaching the most ambitious objectives.”
Spelling error report
The following text will be sent to our editors: