Bohdan Khmelnytsky National University of Cherkasy was represented this year at the International Week at Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences (Latvia) by Vice-Rector for Scientific and Innovation Activities Oleksandr Spriahailo and Head of the Department of Modern English Teaching Practices Nataliia Slyvka.

The scientific event, which took place from September 16 to 20, 2024 in the beautiful city of Valmiera, gathered representatives of 16 universities from 12 countries.

The large-scale project brought together scientists and university lecturers from Latvia, Ukraine, Belgium, Poland, Portugal, Moldova, Albania, Romania, Egypt, Georgia, the Czech Republic, and India. During panel discussions, round tables, seminars, and open lectures, the participants of the International Week discussed the intersection and interaction of technologies and modern education, specifically, the ethical component of the integration of modern technologies in business, the use of artificial intelligence for creative industries, and the role of technologies in supporting sustainable tourism and many other relevant topics were discussed. The participants of the event were particularly interested in getting to know the university laboratories of virtual reality, robotics, and mechatronics, as well as the multimedia centre and the university library, which also serves as a municipal bookstore.

Certain events focused on the development prospects of the EUDRES alliance of European universities, an associate member of which is Bohdan Khmelnytsky National University of Cherkasy. The participants outlined the vectors of the alliance’s activity and conducted practical networking to discuss potential ways of joint responses to current challenges.

It is worth noting that one of the focuses of the organizers of the event was the possibilities of helping Ukraine in its resistance to Russian aggression. A special meeting of representatives of Ukrainian universities with Rector Agnes Davidson was organized to discuss the role of universities in wartime. During this meeting, Vice-Rector for Scientific and Innovation Activities Oleksandr Spriahailo expressed gratitude to the Latvian people for the incredible support of Ukraine and emphasized the importance of mutual efforts to counter Russian fakes and narratives in the interpretation of history.

One of the traditional events of the International Week was the Study Fair (the so-called fair of educational institutions), during which Oleksandr Spriahailo and Nataliia Slyvka introduced colleagues from other countries and Latvian students to the history and present-day atcivities of Bohdan Khmelnytsky National University of Cherkasy. The lecturers paid special attention to the realities of the educational process in the conditions of a full-scale invasion and volunteer activities of the university.

Summing up the week’s work, Oleksandr Spriahailo noted:

“A modern university is not just a transmitter of knowledge. It is a centre for the generation of relevant social initiatives, scientific ideas and decision-making that address the most complex challenges and demands of the time. And it is through joint efforts that we can quickly find the answers society needs. BKNUC is a member of the large European university family, where every student and lecturer can implement their own ideas that will make the world a better place.”