Cluster Seminar “European University Alliances: Cooperation with Ukrainian Higher Education Institutions” (16 October 2025, hybrid format)
On October 16, 2025, the National Erasmus+ Office in Ukraine held a Cluster Seminar “European University Alliances: Cooperation with Ukrainian Higher Education Institutions” as a part of the All-Ukrainian #ErasmusDays2025, which took place in a hybrid format. The events within the framework of #ErasmusDays2025 were held by NEO – Ukraine jointly and with the support of co-organizers (for more details, see the description of the #ErasmusDays2025 concept (UA).
About 50 representatives of Ukrainian Universities involved in the of European University Alliances and other Universities that are considering joining the Alliances participated in the event.
AGENDA – download.
Iryna DRACH, Director of the Institute of Higher Education, the National Academy of Educational Sciences of Ukraine, joined the Opening of the event with a welcoming speech. She emphasized the importance of active participation of Ukrainian higher education institutions in the European University Alliances, because it is such cooperation that contributes to the development of science, enhancing the higher education quality and integrating the Ukrainian academic community into the European Research Area. The speaker noted that participation in such initiatives opens up new opportunities for joint research, academic mobility and strengthening the institutional potential of Ukrainian Universities.
Svitlana SHYTIKOVA, Coordinator of the National Erasmus+ Office in Ukraine, spoke in detail about the purpose of creating and operating the European University Alliances within the framework of the EU Erasmus+ Programme. She emphasized that the main idea of this initiative is to deepen the integration of the European Higher Education Area, develop innovative forms of cooperation between universities, and strengthen their competitiveness and sustainability. She noted that the involvement of Ukrainian HEIs in such partnerships is an important step towards Ukraine’s integration into the European Higher Education Area, strengthening scientific cooperation, and enhancing the role of Universities in the post-war recovery of Ukraine.
Ksenia SMYRNOVA, Vice-Rector of the Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, representative of the Vice-Rectors’ Working Group within the Union of Rectors of Higher Education Institutions of Ukraine, presented all Ukrainian Universities that have already joined the European University Alliances. She outlined the key achievements and results of cooperation, in particular strengthening academic mobility, developing joint study programmes, and increasing the international visibility of Ukrainian HEIs. Ms. Ksenia also emphasized the impact of participation in the Alliances on the strategic development of Universities, strengthening their institutional capacity, and integration into the European Education Area. At the end of her speech, she outlined the next steps, including expanding the circle of Ukrainian institutions, attracting new partners, deepening scientific cooperation, and developing innovative inter-University projects.
Among the participants of the event were also representatives of Ukrainian Universities – participants of the European University Alliances, who shared their own experience of cooperation within the framework of these initiatives. The speakers presented practical examples of the implementation of joint educational and research projects, talked about the types of partnerships, their complementarity with other opportunities of the Erasmus+ Programme, as well as involvement in wider European cooperation networks. The participants noted both the key advantages and challenges that Universities face when integrating into the Alliances, in particular regarding administrative procedures, funding issues and harmonization of academic standards. They also shared recommendations for increasing the effectiveness of the participation of Ukrainian HEIs, emphasizing the importance of systemic support, exchange of experience and a strategic vision for the development of partnerships within the European Higher Education Area.
At the end of the event, participants discussed the next steps for deepening cooperation and key topics for further integration of Ukrainian higher education institutions into the European University Alliances. The discussion aimed to identify specific areas of interaction, exchange experiences on effective project management practices, and formulate recommendations for strengthening the role of Ukrainian Universities as full partners in joint European initiatives.
PRESENTATIONS:
- “Програма ЄС Еразмус+ як інструмент євроінтеграції: участь в Альянсах Європейських Університетів” (in Ukrainian) Svitlana SHYTIKOVA
- “Співпраця українських закладів вищої освіти з Альянсами європейських університетів” (in Ukrainian) Ksenia SMYRNOVA
Home reading: