From 24 to 27 November 2025, Vice-Rector for Scientific, Innovation and International Activities Oleksandr Spriahailo and Head of the International Relations Office Svitlana Koval represented Bohdan Khmelnytsky National University of Cherkasy at “International Week 2025: Partnerships for Skills”, held at the University of Applied Sciences St. Pölten (Austria).

The event brought together representatives of universities from over 20 countries and focused on the role of international partnerships in developing student and academic staff skills, as well as in building sustainable education systems in a global context. The programme of the International Week included lectures, panel discussions, interactive workshops, presentations of best practices, and numerous opportunities for professional networking.

At the official opening of the International Week, the participants were welcomed by the university’s CEO and President of the European University Alliance E³UDRES², Hannes Raffaseder, and the heads of structural units. The guests were introduced to the university’s six faculties, research laboratories, research centres, educational programmes, and key projects.

During the session “International Cooperations & Partnerships”, participants discussed methods for evaluating partnerships, the balance of mobility programmes, future competencies, and criteria for establishing international cooperation. The session “Skills & Internationalisation” focused on the impact of mobility on the development of soft and hard skills, the skills required by the labour market and society, and how internationalisation transforms the professional trajectories of students and lecturers. Participants worked using the “Three Horizons Future Sighting Workshop” method. As part of the “Lightning Talks” series, attendees learnt about successful cases presented by universities from Germany, Austria, Romania, the Balkans, South Africa, Oman, and other countries.

A significant part of the programme was the official celebration of the 5^th anniversary of the European University Alliance E³UDRES², in which the University of Applied Sciences St. Pölten plays a leading role. The Bohdan Khmelnytsky National University of Cherkasy delegation joined the events dedicated to the alliance’s achievements and the prospects for the development of the European Higher Education Area.

The key highlight of the BKNUC delegation’s visit was their presentation during the “Mobility for Skills” session, held on November 26. Oleksandr Spriahailo and Svitlana Koval delivered a talk titled: “Global Challenges – Local Strength. Skills for a Changing World: The Experience of a Ukrainian University”. The presentation outlined the skills that have become crucial in times of war and global crises: flexibility and adaptability; stress resistance and resilience of education systems; innovative thinking; rapid organisation of the educational process under threat; new logistical solutions for ensuring mobility and international cooperation.

BKNUC representatives also actively participated in the “Go International Day” exhibition, during which various European universities presented opportunities for academic mobility, research cooperation, and international programmes. The event provided a platform to communicate with students and lecturers from many countries, answer questions about studying in Ukraine, and expand the network of potential partners.

As part of the International Week programme, the BKNUC delegation visited the modern Media & Digital Technologies laboratories, where they learnt about the university’s technical facilities, including TV and radio production studios, VR/AR laboratories, and classrooms for multimedia content production.

During their stay in St. Pölten, representatives of Bohdan Khmelnytsky National University of Cherkasy recorded a short interview for the university radio. Svitlana Koval spoke about the university and the internationalisation of education in Ukraine, while students Olha Yarmolych and Iryna Hrytsenko, who are currently studying at the University of Applied Sciences St. Pölten under the Erasmus+ programme, shared their impressions of academic mobility.

“The participation of the Bohdan Khmelnytsky National University of Cherkasy delegation in the International Week in St. Pölten became an important step in expanding cooperation with European universities, exchanging experience, and seeking new formats of international collaboration. BKNUC continues to actively work on the internationalisation of its educational space, strengthen its positions on the international stage, and create new opportunities for students and academic staff,” summarised Oleksandr Spriahailo.

International Relations Office