Specialized Seminar for International Postgraduate Students of the Third (Educational and Scientific) Level of Higher Education

On September 19, 2025, the Department of Pedagogy of Luhansk Taras Shevchenko National University hosted a specialized seminar dedicated to the research of international PhD students pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy degree within the framework of the third (educational and scientific) level of higher education. The event brought together Doctors and Candidates of Pedagogical Sciences of the University, as well as two international PhD students – Zhang Li and Liu Shannan. For the students, the seminar became an important stage in preparing for their dissertation defenses, providing an opportunity to present the results of their research in the field of pedagogical sciences.

The PhD students of the Department presented their research on current issues of pedagogy and music education. Their presentations were marked by academic reliability, logical structure, and well-founded conclusions. Liu Shannan presented her dissertation on the topic “Formation of Foreign Language Professional Competence of Future Music Art Specialists in the Context of Internationalized Higher Education of the 21st Century” (scientific supervisor – Doctor of Pedagogical Sciences, Professor I.V. Myhovych). Zhang Li presented her research “Formation of Professional and Pedagogical Competence of Future Music Art Teachers by Means of Information and Communication Technologies” (scientific supervisor – Doctor of Pedagogical Sciences, Professor, Academician of the National Academy of Pedagogical Sciences of Ukraine V.S. Kurylo).

The discussion actively involved the dissertation reviewers: Doctor of Pedagogical Sciences, Professor L.M. Sbitnieva, Doctor of Pedagogical Sciences, Professor L.L. Butenko (for the dissertation of Liu Shannan); Doctor of Pedagogical Sciences, Professor S.O. Shekhavtsova, Candidate of Pedagogical Sciences, Associate Professor V.M. Shvyrka (for the dissertation of Zhang Li). Their thorough remarks and recommendations became a valuable contribution to improving the presented studies.

Both international PhD students have gone through a significant scientific journey that opens prospects for international cooperation in pedagogy and for the exchange of experience between the educational systems of the two countries. Their personal stories demonstrate successful academic adaptation in a cross-cultural environment and emphasize the effectiveness of the individualized approach to preparing internationally oriented academic and pedagogical staff, which is implemented at the University. According to their scientific supervisors, both PhD students demonstrate exceptional persistence, responsibility, and consistency in their research work. Their practical experience has ensured a deep understanding of pedagogical activity. Under the guidance of experienced mentors, they have advanced from teachers to researchers capable of shaping scientific concepts for training music art specialists in an international context.

The specialized seminar demonstrated that the young researchers of the Department of Pedagogy have achieved significant scientific results and are ready to actively contribute to the development of modern pedagogical science. Such events not only stimulate academic discussion but also expand the range of scientific ideas and create a strong foundation for further fruitful cooperation.