On March 13, Vice-Rector for Scientific and Innovation Activities Oleksandr Spriahailo, together with the International Relations Office of Bohdan Khmelnytsky National University of Cherkasy, took part in the event dedicated to cooperation between European and Ukrainian universities.

The meeting, which took place in the European Parliament in Strasbourg (France), was held under the auspices of the Vice-President of the European Parliament, Ewa Kopacz.

Representatives of the European Parliament and the European Commission, alliances and networks of European universities, 15 Ukrainian rectors and vice-rectors, as well as representatives of Polish universities gathered to discuss common directions of European-Ukrainian cooperation between universities. In particular, it was about the planning of long-term high-quality cooperation in the field of education and science, the state of current results and obligations, problems and needs, future prospects for providing assistance to Ukrainian higher education institutions suffering from the consequences of Russian aggression against Ukraine.

Ms. Ewa Kopacz, Vice-President of the European Parliament, gave a welcome speech. The following gave introductory speeches: Professor Michel Deneken, head of the EPICUR Alliance and president of the University of Strasbourg; Professor Bogumiła Kaniewska, Rector of Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań and EPICUR; Professor Mykhailo Vynnytskyi, Deputy Minister of Education and Science of Ukraine.

The strategic partnership of European and Ukrainian universities and their current state were reported by Professor Jean-Marc Planeix, Strategic Coordinator of the EPICUR Alliance and Vice-President for Academic Partnerships and Governance of the University of Strasbourg, and Professor Rafał Witkowski, Vice-President of the International Relations Office of Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań.

Presentations by representatives of such university alliances as EPICUR, EuniWell, SEA-EU, EU2U, ENHANCE, E3UDRES2, CIVICA were dedicated to the best practices of international cooperation in the field of higher education. In particular, achievements within the cooperation of the E3UDRES2 Alliance with Ukrainian higher education institutions were presented by Michal Karpíšek, Secretary General of E3UDRES2 (European University Alliance of the University of Applied Sciences of St. Pölten, Austria). Associated partners of this alliance are three Ukrainian higher education institutions, namely: Bohdan Khmelnytsky National University of Cherkasy, Sumy State University, Cherkasy State Business-College. Mr. Michal shared the experience of launching the E3UDRES2 Project 2023–2027: Strategic partnership and system support for three Ukrainian higher education institutions. Cooperation is carried out in such practical areas as digital education strategies, methodologies, capacity development, provision of 120 mobilities for Ukrainian higher education institutions. He also spoke about prospective plans for a partnership with Ukrainian higher education institutions such as: the acquisition of full membership in the alliance, involvement in system work in E3UDRES2 (quality of education, the concept of education, innovative methodologies, research, etc.), mobility, in particular, mobility models, the international aspect of education, short-term exchanges, internships (also online), joint educational activity, creation of new educational programmes, participation in the development of strategies, discussion of the future of universities, in particular, responding to the contemporary challenges, online and offline joint research, internships, and in the civic dimension – European values, the principles of democracy.

Examples of best practices and current needs were reported by the representatives of Ukrainian higher education institutions such as Kherson State University, Vasyl’ Stus Donetsk National University and others.

In turn, the representatives of the two directorates of the European Commission (Directorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture, and Directorate-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations), responsible for financing cooperation projects, presented the latest instruments for financing scientific and academic cooperation with Ukraine within the limits of the 50 billion euro aid package for Ukraine, approved by the European Parliament.

Vice-Rector for International Cooperation of Adam Mickiewicz University (Poland), Professor Rafał Witkowski presented the final Statement on Strategic Partnership, which was approved by the participants of the event. This is an appeal to the European Commission regarding financial support of alliances of European universities and other European HEIs, which are already involved in cooperation with and assistance to Ukrainian universities.

Oleksandr Spriahailo, Vice-Rector for Scientific and Innovation Activities, emphasized:

– Thanks to the associated partnership with the European Alliance E3UDRES2, Bohdan Khmelnytsky National University of Cherkasy has already concluded agreements on academic mobility under the Erasmus+ programme with two member universities of the alliance. In addition, scientific work on a project aimed at developing potential in the field of higher education has been started.

International Relations Office