On November 20, Bohdan Khmelnytsky National University of Cherkasy hosted a meeting with Oksana Roma, Head of Educational Initiatives at The LEGO Foundation in Ukraine.

During a business discussion with First Vice-Rector Vasyl Moisiienko and Director of the Educational-Scientific Institute of Pedagogical Education, Social Work and Art, Tymofii Desiatov, the parties outlined further steps for cooperation and explored opportunities to expand the university’s participation in innovative educational projects.

Since 2023, the university’s scientific and pedagogical staff have been actively participating in The LEGO Foundation programmes, which are implemented within the framework of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine and The LEGO Foundation. Thanks to this cooperation, the following educational components have been integrated into the curriculum: “Pedagogy of Play” for students majoring in the “Preschool Education” specialization and “Activity-Based Approach in Primary School” for students majoring in the “Primary Education” specialization. These training courses contribute to the high-quality preparation of students for working in the New Ukrainian School system and help them acquire practical skills in activity-based approaches.

As part of the All-Ukrainian Festival of Play, Learning, and Inspiration “Play Fest”, The LEGO Foundation team inspired students majoring in the “Primary Education” specialization to develop a creative educational project “Made in Ukraine: Creative Code”. While working on the project, students generated ideas, conducted interviews with creative personalities in Cherkasy, and explored professional values ​​and their own paths in the future teaching profession.

Faculty members from the Departments of Preschool Education and Primary and Special Education actively participate in educational trainings focused on the social and emotional development of children, psychosocial support for teachers in crisis situations, as well as the implementation of play- and activity-based teaching methods. In particular, these include online trainings “Zerna” (“Seeds”) (Harvard EASEL Lab) and other educational programmes.

The partnership with The LEGO Foundation strengthens the professional training of future educators and primary school teachers, promoting the active use of play- and activity-based teaching methods in educational institutions. This area of cooperation is a significant factor in promoting educational reforms in Ukraine.

During her visit, Oksana Roma toured the material and technical facilities of the Educational-Scientific Institute of Pedagogical Education, Social Work and Art at Bohdan Khmelnytsky National University of Cherkasy and highly praised the university’s infrastructure and potential for implementing innovative approaches in the training of future teachers.

The Educational-Scientific Institute of Pedagogical Education, Social Work and Art