Meeting of the Council of Rectors of Higher Education Institutions of Poltava Region at the Regional Military Administration

On March 12, 2025, Taras Shevchenko Luhansk National University, represented by the university’s rector, Doctor of Pedagogical Sciences, Professor, Corresponding Member of the National Academy of Pedagogical Sciences of Ukraine Olena Karaman, and the Director of the Institute of International Education, Doctor of Pedagogical Sciences, Professor, Head of the International Relations Office Iryna Myhovych, participated in the meeting of the Council of Rectors of Higher Education Institutions of the Poltava Region at the Regional Military Administration.

One of the key agenda items was discussing the international cooperation of Ukrainian universities with educational institutions in the United States. Our university has maintained long-term cooperation with American educational centers - Thomas More College and the University of New Hampshire - within the framework of dual degree programs. A significant component of this collaboration is the operation of the Window on America information and resource center at our university since 2015, supported by the Press, Education, and Culture Section of the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine. Cooperation with the Section also includes the Virtual English Language Educator Program, under which Dr. Lewis T. Daugherty worked at our university from February 1 to April 30, 2023, sharing his experience in TESOL in areas such as education, community and territorial development, small business planning, and intercultural integration.

Special attention was given to expanding academic partnerships with Georgia State University (GSU). In December 2024, a meeting was held with a GSU delegation, represented by Dr. John D. Bunting, Director of the Intensive English Program, and Robin V. Cathey, Associate Director. Both sides identified promising directions for joint research in psychology, education, sociology, and artificial intelligence. Particular focus was placed on studying the psychological consequences of war and developing psychological support programs through training Ukrainian specialists in modern psychotherapy and rehabilitation approaches. Additionally, discussions included the implementation of EdTech solutions, adapting GSU’s best practices in using online platforms, virtual labs, and adaptive learning to meet the needs of Taras Shevchenko Luhansk National University.

The meeting of the Council of Rectors of the Poltava Region served as an important platform for discussing international cooperation and the development of educational initiatives. Participants emphasized that international collaboration enriches not only the educational process but also contributes to the implementation of innovative practices and the deepening of intercultural dialogue within the academic community.