GENERAL INFORMATION
TAM title: Internationalisation as a Driver of Research-Based Education
Type of Event: Roundtable / seminar
Modality: Hybrid
Location: Kyiv, Ukraine (NEO Ukraine premises, with online participation)
Country: Ukraine
Dates: 23–24 September 2025
Participants: Approximately 30 participants took part in the seminar, representing a wide range of Ukrainian higher education institutions and policy bodies, including the Ministry of Education and Science. The audience included academic staff, university management, and representatives involved in higher education reform and internationalisation.
THEMES COVERED
- Internationalisation strategies in higher education
- Research-based education as a driver of quality and innovation
- European (EHEA) policies and practices on internationalisation
- EU funding opportunities for Ukrainian universities
- Integration of research and education in study programmes
- Joint and double degree programmes and international collaboration
KEY OUTCOMES
During the workshop, participants:
- Strengthened their understanding of internationalisation as a tool to enhance research-based education.
- Examined European policies and institutional practices supporting the integration of research and teaching.
- Reflected on Ukrainian universities’ current positioning and opportunities for deeper engagement in international projects.
- Identified priority topics for further capacity-building, including joint programmes and joint doctoral degrees.
OVERVIEW
The hybrid roundtable and seminar focused on exploring internationalisation as a strategic driver of research-based education in Ukrainian higher education. The programme combined expert-led presentations with national contributions and structured discussions involving representatives from universities, public authorities, and quality assurance bodies. Key inputs addressed European policies and practices related to internationalisation, as well as practical examples from Maastricht University illustrating how research and education can be effectively integrated.
Interactive elements, including the use of digital tools to support engagement, facilitated dialogue between participants and the expert. Discussions highlighted that many Ukrainian universities already apply research-based approaches in their curricula, while also identifying opportunities to further strengthen these practices through international collaboration and participation in EU-funded projects. Questions from participants focused on honours programmes, bachelor’s theses, and models of curriculum modernisation. The TAM concluded with reflections on future priorities and possible areas for deeper engagement.
THE FOLLOW UP ACTIVITY
Title of the activity: Follow-up workshop on strengthening the Third Mission of higher education institutions in Ukraine
Dates: 14 October 2025
Audience:
Representatives of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, higher education institutions, research organisations, civil society actors, and stakeholders involved in university–society engagement and innovation.
Description:
The follow-up activity consisted of an online workshop aimed at consolidating the results of the TAM on the Third Mission of higher education institutions. The session brought together key stakeholders to review the main findings and recommendations of the TAM, assess progress made since the mission, and exchange experiences related to the implementation of university–society engagement practices. The discussions also focused on identifying priority actions for strengthening the Third Mission in Ukraine.
The workshop facilitated dialogue between policymakers, universities and external stakeholders, contributing to the translation of TAM recommendations into concrete actions and policy directions. It also helped reinforce cooperation among institutions involved in higher education reform and societal engagement.
ENHANCING IMPACT: PROPOSED NEXT STEPS
- Develop a more attractive national higher education promotion strategy to support international visibility and recruitment.
- Continue modernising curricula through research-based and innovative teaching methods, including problem-based learning and virtual international collaboration.
- Encourage credit mobility alongside degree mobility to mitigate risks of brain drain.
- Strengthen inter-university collaboration in Ukraine through clusters of excellence and performance-based funding.
- Expand longer-term engagement initiatives between universities and the Ministry to support sustained internationalisation efforts.
RESOURCES AND BACKGROUND MATERIAL
Dekker, H. & Walsarie-Wolff, S. (n.d.). Re-Inventing Research-Based Teaching and Learning. Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/311537070_Re-Inventing_Research-Based_Teaching_and_Learning
Healey, M., Jenkins, A. & Lea, J. (2014). Developing Research-Based Curricula in College-Based Higher Education. Higher Education Academy. Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/260990929_Developing_research-based_curricula_in_college-based_higher_education_Developing_research-based_curricula
Universities of the Netherlands (VSNU), Netherlands Federation of University Medical Centres (NFU), Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW), Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO) & ZonMw (2019). Room for Everyone’s Talent: Towards a New Balance in the Recognition and Rewards for Academics. Available at: https://www.nwo.nl/en/position-paper-room-for-everyones-talent
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