Expert group of the scientific project "Innovative university – tool of integration to European educational and research area" held a working session with the participation of the Visegrad Fund management that financially supports the project. The meeting was held on April, 23 as part of the International Scientific Conference "Education mobility, innovation culture and social responsibility as the resources of competitiveness of European universities."
The project aims to develop conception of European type innovative university formation on the basis of State Higher Educational Institution "UzhNU" involving regional innovation center- Science Park. Project duration is two years. The partners of UzhNU are the University of Rzeszow (Poland), the University of Debrecen (Hungary), Technical University of Kosice (Slovakia), NGO "Institute for cross-border cooperation" (Uzhhorod, Ukraine).
Currently the project involves 8 groups of experts who deal with different areas of research including: implementation of educational innovation in the context of the new Law "On Education"; developing a mechanism of effective collaboration between science and industry in the cross-border cooperation; activity of the Science Park of UzhNU as a mechanism of implementation of research results; difficulties on the way of creation of innovative university; experience in implementing innovative forms and techniques in Poland, Hungary and the Slovak Republic; experience of Visegrad Fund member states in innovation activities of universities and mechanism of their implementation in UzhNU.
During the meeting, organized by the applicant of the research project of the ESI of the Eurointegration Research of UzhNU (Director - Associate Professor Ivan Artyomov), participants discussed the problem of innovative universities creation, agreed methodological principles of research work of experts. They also dwelt on the experience of commercialization of scientific research at universities in EU countries, mechanisms of encouraging incentives and innovation.
The meeting of experts was moderated by Ivan Artyomov who pointed out that the development of the conception of innovative university was extremely important in the context of signing the Agreement on the Association with the EU and the Law of Ukraine "On Higher Education".
Active work on the project continues. Project website has been created, the second edition of the newsletter has been published, project materials are regularly published in the media.
Vice-Rector Ihor Studenyak considers that the basis of the project is its scientific, practical and social component. "The development of the country can happen only due to the innovation of universities. Therefore, creating a model of such university is important for the whole of Ukraine, because it will be perceived as a recommendation to implementation "- said Vice-Rector.
The head of one of the expert groups - Director of the Institute of cross-border cooperation Serhiy Ustych considers the policy of innovation of UzhNU to be of great importance. Moreover, innovation should not be taken only in the context of natural sciences. Social innovations are even more important because they affect vital activities of people. A lack of innovation leads to disaster.
Professor of the University of Debrecen Oleksandr Kykyneshi believes that students should be involved in innovation and it's quite possible to do within the project. Abroad much attention is paid to innovation and developments of universities are realized by businesses.
During the meeting the Director of the Research Institute of Analytical Techniques Means Yosyp Holovach reported on the establishment of the Science Park at the university. He is convinced that the lack of research products at enterprises is a significant problem of the economy. Therefore innovation activities of universities are essential, and Science Parks concentrating innovations should solve social and economic problems of the regions.
Visegrad Fund Manager Lenka Buchkova has noted that today the fund has 60 projects with Ukraine and briefly described current programs. There are, for example, student exchange programs. If the university invites young people from Visegrad countries, it is financed. Instructors and academics from Visegrad universities can also be invited to Ukraine for a certain period of time.
Office Manager of the Institute of cross-border cooperation Dmytro Miroshnikov and a leading specialist of the ESI of European Integration Studies Alina Ghus’ told about practical implementation of the project "Innovative university as a tool of integration to the European education and research area".
Experts’ conclusions will soon be published in the next newsletter of the project "Innovative university as a tool of integration to the European education and research area".
