Participation in an International Certified Programme within the Framework of the Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence

From 21 April to 31 May 2025, Dr Iryna V. Myhovych, Professor and Head of the International Relations Office at Luhansk Taras Shevchenko National University, took part in the international professional development programme “Soft Skills in Higher Education: EU Expertise”, implemented under the Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence of the Erasmus+ Programme “Hub of European Solutions” (Project No. 101127578 - HEUS - ERASMUS-JMO-2023-HEI-TCH-RSCH), hosted by the National University of Ostroh Academy.

This initiative forms part of the broader European strategy for supporting the quality of higher education in Ukraine and focuses on the development of transversal competencies among academic and administrative staff in the context of European integration. The six-week programme was delivered in an intensive online format (180 hours / 6 ECTS credits) and culminated in an in-person session in Ostroh. Key topics included: human rights in education, academic integrity, EU digital tools and resources, strategic management in higher education, fundraising, internationalisation, and the integration of innovative European practices into academic processes.

As a result of her successful completion of the programme, Dr. Myhovych acquired a wide range of professional competencies that are already being applied within the university’s international operations. These include: 1) the integration of metacognitive strategies into the educational process for international students (e.g., workshops on adapting to the Ukrainian higher education system); 2) advocacy skills (e.g., representing the university at international educational events and in negotiations with prospective partners); 3) effective use of modern academic communication tools (e.g., coordination of international online events with partner institutions); 4) ethical and strategic application of artificial intelligence in education (e.g., using AI tools to streamline international grant application processes); 5) planning and managing grant resources in line with EU standards (e.g., project proposal development and management of active grants); 6) implementation of academic development projects with a focus on interdisciplinarity, internationalisation, and sustainable development; 7) leadership development grounded in professional ethics and innovative pedagogical approaches (e.g., formulating the university’s internationalisation strategy and expanding its strategic partnership network).

The knowledge and competencies gained through this programme will be used to strengthen the university’s institutional capacity in the field of international cooperation and to align its internationalisation strategy with the standards of the European Higher Education Area. The implementation of these outcomes into the university’s daily operations is expected to significantly enhance its international profile and academic culture.