Institute of International Education, вулиця Богдана Хмельницького, 8/16, Kyiv (2026)

02/10/2026

Internationalisation of Higher Education: Estonia’s Experience

Representatives of Luhansk Taras Shevchenko National University participated in an international webinar on the internationalisation of higher education and Estonia’s experience.
On 2 October, Iryna V. Myhovych, Acting Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs (Research and International Relations), and Liudmyla A. Ovcharova, Head of the International Education Sector of the International Relations Office, joined the online webinar “Internationalisation of Higher Education: Policy Frameworks, Institutional Strategies and Lessons from Estonia”.
The event was supported by the project “Enforcing the Ukrainian higher education reform with a focus on modernizing and implementing personnel policy”, funded by the Estonian Centre for International Cooperation.
The webinar was opened and moderated by Margus Haidak, Senior Adviser in the Higher Education Department of Estonia’s Ministry of Education and Research.
Heli Aru-Chabilan, Head of the Centre of Education Programmes at the Estonian Education and Youth Board (HARNO), presented strategic approaches to the internationalisation of higher education at national and university levels. Her presentation focused on integrating international activities into higher education institutions’ strategies, supporting academic mobility, developing international partnerships, and strengthening universities’ capacity to participate in European Union programmes.
Eero Loonurm, Head of Study in Estonia at the Estonian Education and Youth Board (HARNO), presented Estonia’s experience in promoting its higher education internationally. Topics included attracting international students, developing support services for them, cooperation between universities, and raising the international profile of the country’s education system.
The webinar also highlighted the importance of aligning international partnerships with universities’ academic priorities, engaging academic staff and institutional units in international activities, and assessing their impact on the quality of education and research. The experience presented offers valuable insights for further developing our university’s international activities, supporting academic mobility, and improving services for international students.

02/10/2026

Participation in the International Horizon Europe Mentoring Programme

Iryna V. Myhovych, Acting Vice-Rector for Scientific and International Affairs at the State Institution “Luhansk Taras Shevchenko National University”, has been selected through a competitive process to participate in an international online mentoring programme on Horizon Europe project implementation and management.
The programme is organised by the Estonian Research Council (ETAG), with support from the Estonian Centre for International Development (ESTDEV), as part of the ESTERA-UA project, “Estonian Support for Ukraine’s Integration into the European Research Area”. The project aims to strengthen cooperation between Ukrainian and Estonian researchers, facilitate the search for international partners, and expand Ukrainian institutions’ participation in Horizon Europe. The mentoring programme is one of its practical components, enabling participants to work with experts experienced in implementing Horizon Europe projects.
Six interactive sessions will take place between October and December 2026. They will cover the allocation of roles within an international consortium, the management of work packages and deliverables, budgeting, reporting, research ethics, communication, and risk management. Discussions will address practical questions raised by participants, focusing on real management challenges in international projects.
For Luhansk Taras Shevchenko National University, participation in the programme is directly linked to its ongoing international project activities. In September, Iryna V. Myhovych represented the University in the preparation of the RECONSTRUCT-UKR (“Conflict and Post-War Reconstruction in Ukraine”) proposal for a Horizon Europe call. The proposal was developed by a consortium of more than 20 partners, coordinated by Saarland University, Germany. Participation in this consortium required the University to clearly define its research contribution, align its tasks with the overall project structure, and plan the necessary resources.
This experience makes the mentoring programme particularly valuable, as it offers an opportunity to discuss with experienced Horizon Europe practitioners the challenges that arise after proposal preparation: coordinating partners’ work, fulfilling work package commitments, managing budgets, and reporting results. The knowledge gained can therefore support the organisation of the University’s project activities and help its researchers join new international consortia. Selection for the programme both recognises the experience the University has already gained and represents an investment in its further participation in the European Research Area.

27/08/2026

Participation in a Meeting of the Union of Rectors of Higher Education Institutions of Ukraine

On 21 August 2026, the National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine hosted a meeting of the Union of Rectors of Higher Education Institutions of Ukraine, focusing on the practical implementation of academic integrity legislation and current developments in the national higher education quality assurance system. Luhansk Taras Shevchenko National University was represented by Iryna Myhovych, Acting Vice-Rector for Education and Research, Doctor of Pedagogical Sciences, and Professor.
The meeting brought together leaders of Ukrainian universities and representatives of the National Agency for Higher Education Quality Assurance to discuss changes associated with the implementation of the Law of Ukraine “On Academic Integrity” and prospects for further developing institutional mechanisms for quality assurance in education and research.
Nataliia Stukalo, Head of the National Agency for Higher Education Quality Assurance, presented the strategic priorities for developing the national quality assurance system. She informed participants about the Agency’s external review and the decisions expected in autumn 2026 from the European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (ENQA) and the European Quality Assurance Register for Higher Education (EQAR). Particular attention was given to the importance of international recognition of Ukraine’s quality assurance system, which would enable accreditation decisions to be included in the Database of External Quality Assurance Results (DEQAR). For Ukrainian universities, this would strengthen international confidence in their academic programmes, expand opportunities for academic cooperation, and facilitate further integration into the European Higher Education Area. Participants also discussed developing approaches to voluntary institutional and cluster accreditation, designed to streamline quality assessment procedures and strengthen the institutional accountability of higher education institutions.
Ivan Nazarov, Deputy Head of the National Agency, provided a detailed overview of the practical application of the Law of Ukraine “On Academic Integrity,” which entered into effect on 31 July 2026. Discussions focused on key legislative changes, the need to align internal university regulations with current requirements, and the establishment of effective procedures to prevent and appropriately address breaches of academic integrity. The meeting also highlighted the need for systematic training for staff responsible for promoting and safeguarding academic integrity. In this context, plans were announced for a thematic seminar and the development of a training course for representatives of higher education institutions.
For Luhansk Taras Shevchenko National University, academic integrity and educational quality are particularly significant. As the University works to restore its institutional capacity, address the geographical dispersion of its academic community, make extensive use of distance learning technologies, and ensure the continuity of educational and research activities, transparent rules, mutual trust, and accountability provide an essential foundation for preserving academic cohesion. Equally important is the development of an internal academic integrity framework adapted to the challenges of wartime and forced displacement. This involves updating internal regulations, strengthening the work of the University’s authorised committees, promoting responsible authorship, and ensuring the appropriate use of digital tools, including artificial intelligence technologies.
The approaches and recommendations discussed during the meeting will inform the University’s ongoing efforts to improve its internal regulatory framework, strengthen quality assurance procedures in education and research, expand international partnerships, and establish academic integrity as an integral element of institutional resilience.

16/08/2026

Current Project Activities of University Researchers

During May-August 2026, the University’s project teams transformed research ideas into 13 applications submitted to national and international programmes, while one more application to Horizon Europe is currently being prepared. The thematic scope ranges from human potential, veteran policy and historical memory to digital heritage, ecology, agricultural sciences and mathematical modelling.
One of the largest-scale initiatives was an application to participate in the development of the Roadmap for Research Infrastructures of Ukraine within RIFF – “Ukrainian Research Infrastructure for Human Potential, Societal Resilience and Transformational Development” (institutional coordinator – Iryna Myhovych, Doctor of Pedagogical Sciences, Professor, Acting Vice-Rector for Research and Academic Affairs). The project idea focuses on creating a national environment in which data on societal transformations will become the basis for responsible management decisions. The future infrastructure is intended to bring together long-term datasets on veterans, internally displaced persons, young people, Ukrainians abroad, educators, researchers and communities. The National Human Potential Dashboard of Ukraine, proposed as one of the project outputs, will make it possible not only to record changes but also to track their dynamics, assess the effectiveness of policies and forecast post-war recovery scenarios. The application is currently under evaluation.
A significant area of work was participation in the competition of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine for projects of fundamental and applied scientific research and scientific and technical developments. University teams submitted nine applications, each combining academic rigour with clear societal relevance.
Fundamental Research:
Olena Karaman, Doctor of Pedagogical Sciences, Professor, Corresponding Member of the National Academy of Educational Sciences of Ukraine, Rector – “An Ecosystem Model of Post-Traumatic Growth of War Veterans amid Protracted Military Conflict: Integrating Veteran Experience into Community Capital.” The project proposes viewing veteran experience not only through the prism of trauma but also as a resource for community development.
Oleksandr Naboka, Doctor of Historical Sciences, Professor, Head of the Department of History and Archaeology, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities – “Encyclopaedia of the History of Luhansk Region: Systematisation of Historical Heritage and Preservation of the Region’s Historical Memory.” This is an important step towards preserving the historical voice of Luhansk Region and countering attempts to distort or erase it.
Anton Bader, Doctor of Political Sciences, Professor at the Department of Political Science and International Relations, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities – “The Cognitive Dimension of Ukraine’s National Resilience amid Information Aggression.” The focus is on society’s ability to maintain critical thinking, resilience and unity in an environment of information threats.
Applied Research:
Iryna Myhovych, Doctor of Pedagogical Sciences, Professor, Acting Vice-Rector for Research and Academic Affairs – “Evidence-Based Management of Human Potential Development among Persons at Increased Risk of Socio-Economic Vulnerability through the Internationalised Design of Educational Solutions and Support for Sustainable Career Pathways.” The application is aimed at ensuring that educational solutions for vulnerable groups are based on data, international experience and people’s actual needs.
Olha Kostiuk, Candidate of Philosophical Sciences, Associate Professor, Head of the Department of Design and Media Production, Faculty of Arts – “Preservation of Monumental Art Objects in Poltava Region through Digital Technologies.” The project combines cultural memory with digital tools for its documentation and preservation.
Iryna Prodan, Candidate of Pedagogical Sciences, Associate Professor, Dean of the Faculty of Arts – “The Visual Code of Resistance: Transformation of Ethnic Motifs in Contemporary Ukrainian Digital Art as a Means of Constructing National Identity.” The research conceptualises art as a language of cultural resistance and affirmation of Ukrainian identity.
Kateryna Hlukhovtseva, Doctor of Philological Sciences, Professor at the Department of Ukrainian Language and Journalism, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities – “Ecolinguistic Principles of Shaping Environmental Awareness and a Culture of Sustainable Development in Contemporary Literary, Mass Media and Conversational Discourses.” The team will investigate how language shapes environmental thinking and a responsible attitude towards the future.
Andrii Kokhan, Doctor of Agricultural Sciences, Professor at the Department of Biology and Agronomy, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences – “Theoretical Substantiation of the Restoration of Degraded Soils in Poltava Region through Organic Carbon Stock Management under Climate Change.” The project addresses the simultaneous challenges of land degradation, climate change and food security.
Yurii Kozub, Doctor of Technical Sciences, Professor at the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science – “Modelling Nonlinear Deformation Processes of Anisotropic Structures under Non-Stationary Loading Based on the Finite Element Method.” The application develops mathematical tools for solving complex engineering problems.
All nine projects have been submitted. In accordance with Order No. 934 of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine dated 15 June 2026, the results are expected to be announced by 30 December 2026.
A separate dimension of the University’s project activities is represented by the Erasmus+ programme. The RESQUE-UA – Resilient Systems for Quality and Excellence in Displaced Universities in Ukraine project, submitted by Kherson State University (with overall management on behalf of Luhansk Taras Shevchenko National University carried out by Vitalii S. Kurylo), received 83 points out of a possible 100, which is a high result for CBHE projects. The application is currently included on the reserve list and may receive funding if additional funding is allocated to the Erasmus+ programme. This is the first interim result among the applications listed and, at the same time, evidence of the high competitiveness of the proposed idea, since for displaced Ukrainian universities, the issue of resilient quality assurance systems is not an abstract management problem but a daily practice of preserving the academic community, the educational process and institutional capacity amid war. Work is currently underway on another international project application – to the Horizon Europe programme under the thematic area “Supporting post-conflict democracy and reconstruction”. Iryna Myhovych will coordinate the participation of Luhansk Taras Shevchenko National University in the preparation of the project. The application is scheduled for submission by 23 September 2026. The future project is intended to cover four interconnected objectives. The first concerns the development of effective strategies for sustainable peace and democratic reconstruction at the national and local levels, in compliance with the principles of inclusiveness, equality, security, human rights, integrity and anti-corruption. The second area envisages the preparation of evidence-based recommendations for policymakers regarding international cooperation, EU support for democracy and the involvement of civil society in reconstruction processes. The third will strengthen the capacity of local civil society organisations and communities – primarily those representing people in vulnerable situations – to provide recommendations and support to educators, the media, public administrators and other participants in reconciliation, accountability and sustainable peacebuilding processes. The fourth objective focuses on returning veterans and war-affected vulnerable groups to full participation in life through comprehensive support programmes capable of simultaneously addressing people’s socio-economic and psychological needs and facilitating their successful reintegration into democratic society. For a university with its own experience of displacement and a long-standing record of work on human potential, societal resilience and veteran reintegration, participation in such an initiative is a logical continuation of its research and international activities.
Two more applications by University researchers are participating in competitions of the National Research Foundation of Ukraine: (1) “Formation of Adaptive Social Leadership in a VUCA World: An Internationalised Pedagogical Model for the Development of Ukraine’s Human Potential” – a project authored by Iryna Myhovych and submitted to the competition for annual grants of the President of Ukraine for Doctors of Sciences aged up to and including 45 to conduct scientific research and development. The application is currently under evaluation. (2) A project on the protection of human rights in temporarily occupied territories and ensuring the rights of internally displaced persons amid war: institutional and security dimensions was submitted under the coordination of Vitalii S. Kurylo to the “Advanced Fundamental Science in Ukraine 2027-2029” competition. It is also currently under evaluation.
Today, the success of university research is measured not only by the number of publications. It is manifested in the ability of University researchers to identify a problem before it becomes critical; to bring together different scientific schools around it; to find partners; and to translate a complex idea into the language of a convincing project. The submitted projects demonstrate that precisely such a culture is taking shape at the University – one that is open to interdisciplinarity, international partnership and responsibility to society.
We wish all project teams success in the next stages of the competitive selection process, high scores and well-deserved victories! May every application receive support and every idea have the opportunity to become a real research project.

25/07/2026

Meeting on the Implementation of the Law of Ukraine “On Academic Integrity”

On July 16, 2026, a meeting was held in Kyiv at the offices of LigaZakon to discuss the implementation of the Law of Ukraine “On Academic Integrity” and its implications for institutions of higher education.
The event was attended by representatives of Ukrainian higher education institutions, the National Agency for Higher Education Quality Assurance (NAQA), as well as lawyers specializing in education law. Taras Shevchenko National University of Luhansk was represented at the meeting by Iryna V. Myhovych, Acting Vice Rector for Research and International Affairs.
The discussion focused on the practical steps required to implement the Law of Ukraine “On Academic Integrity” (No. 4742-IX). In particular, it was emphasized that the full entry into force of the Law on July 31 requires universities to update their internal policies and regulatory documents in accordance with European approaches to ensuring the quality of education.
Among the key areas requiring attention from higher education institutions are:
– the establishment of independent authorized bodies (commissions) to review cases of violations and resolve conflicts;
– revising internal regulatory documents governing academic activities;
– ensuring the transparency of academic integrity policies, in particular by publishing them on the institution’s official website;
– standardizing procedures for checking academic texts (dissertations, articles, and theses) for plagiarism.
Separately, the meeting participants drew attention to new requirements for academic and teaching staff: increased accountability for transparent assessment, updating syllabi, and strict adherence to academic integrity rules regarding the use of results generated by artificial intelligence tools. In cases where AI has significantly influenced the content or conclusions of a work, its use must be properly declared. In the context of updating procedures, they also emphasized the importance of preventing conflicts of interest when reviewing potential violations: the university must ensure a transparent and fair consideration of cases while safeguarding the rights of all participants.
The participation of representatives from Luhansk Taras Shevchenko National University in this expert discussion allows the university to promptly incorporate new legislative requirements, align its internal procedures, and strengthen a culture of integrity in educational and research activities.

For reference: The text of the Law of Ukraine “On Academic Integrity” (No. 4742-IX) is available on the website of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine.

25/07/2026

Cooperation Agreement Signed with Maria Curie-Skłodowska University

Luhansk Taras Shevchenko National University has taken another significant step towards expanding its international academic partnerships. Following extensive negotiations conducted with the support of the Department of International Technical Assistance, Innovative Development and External Relations of the Luhansk Regional State Administration / Regional Military Administration, a Cooperation Agreement was signed between our University and Maria Curie-Skłodowska University in Lublin (Republic of Poland).
Maria Curie-Skłodowska University is one of the largest and most prestigious higher education institutions in Poland. It actively participates in international research projects, implements academic mobility programmes, cooperates with universities from dozens of countries around the world, and is recognised as one of the leading centres of education and research in Central Europe.
At the same time, our University has joined the establishment of the LUkraNet (Lublin-Ukraine Academic Network) international academic network. Participation in this network will foster closer cooperation between Ukrainian and Polish higher education institutions, expand involvement in European educational and research initiatives, and further integrate Luhansk Taras Shevchenko National University into the European Higher Education and Research Area.

The expansion of our partnership network creates new opportunities for professional development, international academic cooperation, joint research initiatives, and the implementation of European best practices in teaching and learning. We are confident that this newly established partnership will provide a solid foundation for successful international projects and the long-term development of academic cooperation.

19/06/2026

Participation in the FOREU4ALL Policy Learning Lab Online Event

The University joined the FOREU4ALL Policy Learning Lab event entitled “Alliances Without Borders, Connecting European Values with Regional and Global Engagement.”

On 17 June, Iryna V. MYHOVYCH, Acting Vice-Rector for Scientific and Pedagogical Work and Head of the International Relations Office, participated in the FOREU4ALL Policy Learning Lab Launch Webinar “Alliances Without Borders, Connecting European Values with Regional and Global Engagement,” organised within the framework of the FOREU4ALL European Universities Alliance.
During the event, the results of a study on the geopolitical strategies of European university alliances were presented by Magdalena Sikorska (EUNICE European University) and Professor Selma Porobić (Young Universities for the Future of Europe). The speakers highlighted the role of alliances as platforms for fostering international cooperation, implementing joint educational programmes, research projects, academic mobility, and capacity-building activities.

A separate session focused on cooperation between European university alliances and Ukraine. Participants noted that since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, most European higher education institutions have launched solidarity initiatives to support Ukrainian students and academic staff, while more than 50 university alliances have already formalised cooperation with Ukrainian higher education institutions. The activities of the “Cooperation with Ukraine” thematic group, which facilitates the exchange of best practices and the dissemination of cooperation outcomes, were also presented.

The webinar also addressed the key areas of international activities carried out by university alliances, including the development of joint educational programmes, research cooperation, academic mobility, innovation activities, and capacity-building initiatives. The speakers emphasised the importance of strengthening the international dimension of Erasmus+, expanding opportunities for the participation of third-country partners, and improving mechanisms for financing international cooperation.

Participants also outlined major challenges, including insufficient funding for the global dimension of university alliances, fragmentation of European support instruments, administrative barriers, and limited opportunities for integrating partners from outside the European Union. Among the priorities for future development, they identified strengthening the role of university alliances as strategic global actors, expanding international partnerships, and ensuring more active participation of universities from partner countries in joint initiatives.

Participation in the event contributed to strengthening international ties, increasing awareness of current trends in the development of the European Higher Education Area, and exploring new opportunities for cooperation with European university alliances. Engagement in professional discussions on international partnerships and support for Ukraine enables the University to enhance its presence in the international academic community and to develop new avenues for educational, research, and project-based cooperation.

12/06/2026

Ukraine Global Campus: A Digital Education Corridor for International Students https://www.instagram.com/reel/DZf9guLRe2_
On 11 June 2026, a round table discussion entitled “Ukraine Global Campus: A Digital Education Corridor for International Students” was held at the Ukrinform Press Centre. The event focused on the development of international education and the exploration of new approaches to attracting international students to Ukraine.
Among the participants was Iryna V. Myhovych, Acting Vice-Rector for Research and International Affairs, Head of the International Relations Office of the State Institution “Luhansk Taras Shevchenko National University”, Doctor of Pedagogical Sciences, Professor.
The event was organized by the International Movement “PRORYV” Public Union, which initiated a professional discussion on the role of international education as one of the promising areas for Ukraine’s economic development and an important instrument of international cooperation.
The round table brought together representatives of higher education institutions, Members of Parliament of Ukraine, employers, experts, representatives of civil society organizations, and international partners. The discussion addressed issues related to the international competitiveness of Ukrainian higher education, the digitalization of educational processes, mechanisms for attracting international students, and the development of modern state policy in the field of educational services export.
Particular attention was paid to the concept of creating a unified digital educational pathway for international students in Ukraine, covering the entire process from admission to graduation and diploma issuance. Participants emphasized that, in the context of war, demographic challenges, and global competition for talent, the development of international education extends beyond the educational sphere and becomes an important factor in ensuring the country’s economic resilience.
As a result of the discussion, a draft resolution was prepared proposing the development of a National Strategy for the Export of Educational Services of Ukraine until 2035, the establishment of an interagency working group on international education, the improvement of digital verification mechanisms for international students, and the promotion of the Study in Ukraine brand in international markets.
The participants also supported the initiative to establish a permanent expert platform, “Ukraine Global Campus”, aimed at bringing together government authorities, universities, employers, civil society organizations, and international partners to develop joint solutions in the field of international education.
The participation of representatives of Luhansk Taras Shevchenko National University in such professional discussions contributes to the development of a consolidated academic position on the internationalization of Ukrainian higher education and its integration into the global educational space.

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