On 4 December 2023, a regular meeting of the working group of participants of the DEFEP project “Distance Education for the Future: EU best practices in response to the needs of higher education and labour market” within the framework of the Erasmus+ KA2 programme from Uman National University of Horticulture took place.
During the meeting, they discussed the process of writing a chapter of the collective monograph “Educational Innovations as a Response to Modern Challenges: A New Model of Distance Learning”. The group delved into various innovative strategies that could change the definition of distance education. This included studying the place of distance education in the global educational environment, discussing the organisational model of distance learning, and student-centred learning methodologies.
The implementation of this project will significantly improve the quality and efficiency of educational services provided by the university and make a significant contribution to the development of the education sector as a whole.
At the meeting of the Academic Council of the Uman National University of Horticulture, November 30, 2023, Vice-Rector for Scientific and Pedagogical Work Mykhailo Malyovanyi made a report “On the international activities of UNUS”, emphasizing the significant success of the educational institution as a partner in the international DEFEP project “Distance Education for the Future: EU best practices in response to the needs of higher education and labor market” within the framework of the Erasmus + KA2 program.
The DEFEP project, which aims to radically change approaches to distance learning, is in line with the university’s strategic goals of applying innovative methods in education and introducing the latest technologies. As explained by Mykhailo Ivanovych, the university’s participation in this consortium emphasizes its desire to integrate European educational standards and methods into its curricula.
The speaker spoke in detail about the university’s efforts to implement the project goals, including ensuring the testing of distance education as a separate independent form of education in higher education institutions in certain (experimental) specialties using the appropriate electronic platform and methodological and didactic support for the formation of promising competencies.
Mykhailo Malyovanyi noted that, according to the project programme, the university’s researchers took part in the organisation and coordination of a sociological survey of stakeholders at the university about priorities, needs and requests for distance education; joined the international forum of educators and employers “Distance Education of the Future: Challenges and Prospects; made a study visit to the University of Saarland (Germany), King Juan Carlos University (Madrid, Spain) and the University of Palermo (Spain), where they got acquainted with real examples of best practices and best practices in distance education implemented in European universities, exchanged views and their own vision of the development of various aspects of higher education.
Therefore, the speaker emphasised the importance of the DEFEP project in promoting international cooperation and sharing best practices in higher education. He underlined how the project enabled the participants to gain valuable insights into EU approaches to distance education, which play an important role in shaping the future of higher education in Ukraine.
Distance education: a trend, an objective necessity or the future? These are the questions that the educational community of Ukraine and the world is concerned with, as well as the working group of the international DEFEP project “Distance Education for Future: best EU practices in response to the requests of modern higher education seekers and labor market: Best European Practices for Partners), which is being implemented by higher education institutions in Ukraine, Moldova, Germany, Italy, and Spain. On November 08, a meeting of the project’s working group from the Uman National University of Horticulture was held to discuss aspects of its implementation and address current issues. In particular, the participants discussed:
The progress of the WP 3 package, which involves the preparation and writing of a monograph;
Aspects of the work done in preparation for the Executive Committee meeting;
Development of quality criteria for the expected results of the project under WP 5 and WP 6.
On October 27, at the Faculty of Economics and Entrepreneurship of Uman National University of Horticulture, at the initiative of the Department of Economics, an interdepartmental seminar on project activities of higher education institutions was held on the topic: “Projects under the EU Erasmus+ program: new opportunities and prospects for Ukrainian higher education institutions.”
The event was attended by higher education students and teachers of the Department of Economics and the Department of Finance, Banking and Insurance. The speaker of the seminar was Olena FILIMONOVA, coordinator of the DEFEP project: Distance Education for Future: best EU practices in response to the requests of modern higher education seekers and labor market (Distance Education for Future: best EU practices in response to the requests of modern higher education seekers and labor market) within the framework of the Erasmus+ program, PhD, leading specialist of the International Relations Department of Petro Mohyla Black Sea National University.
During the seminar, the scientists discussed the development and building opportunities for Ukrainian higher education institutions provided by the EU Erasmus+ program. Olena Borysivna emphasized that the rules of the EU Erasmus+ Program have now been changed to facilitate support for Ukrainian institutions and institutions, educators and scientists in the context of the military aggression of the Russian Federation, in particular those displaced within Ukraine or abroad. Since Russia and Belarus are excluded from funding this program, opportunities for Ukraine, its education, youth and sports have become wider.
The speaker emphasized that Erasmus+ priorities include inclusion and diversity in all areas of education, training, youth and sports; support for Ukraine and temporarily displaced Ukrainians; environment and climate change; addressing digital transformation through the development of digital readiness, resilience and capacity; shared values, active citizenship.
The peculiarities of the introduction of distance education and approaches to its implementation, which are being developed under the DEFEP project Distance Education of the Future: EU best practices in response to the needs of modern higher education and labor market (grant agreement № 101083143 – DEFEP), were also discussed in detail. The participants of the seminar analyzed which educational programs of the second master’s level of higher education can be switched to distance learning in the next academic year at Uman National University of Horticulture as experimental for the project; what challenges and opportunities this creates for students, teachers and university administration;
The interdepartmental seminar has become an excellent platform for a deeper understanding of the EU Erasmus+ Program and its relevance to the Ukrainian higher education environment.
From October 9 to 13, 2023, the Ukrainian and Moldovan teams of the international DEFEP Erasmus+ Ka2 project “Distance education for future: best EU practices in response to the requests of modern higher education seekers and labor market” visited the University of Palermo. Vice-Rector for Scientific and Pedagogical Work, Doctor of Economics, Professor Mykhailo MALYOVANYI and specialist of the Education Quality Monitoring Department Mariia MALYOVANA took part in the visit from Uman National University of Horticulture.
During the week, the meeting participants had the opportunity to learn about digital tools and practices that are successfully used in the educational process by the University of Palermo teachers. The event was held in the medieval palace Palazzo Chiaromonte-Steri. Massimo Midiri, Rector of the University of Palermo, welcomed the participants.
Luisa Amenta, Vice-Rector for Innovation at the University, introduced the participants to new approaches to student learning and teacher motivation in the context of digitalization of education.
Ignazio Vinci and Simona Mercantini shared their experience of using the FORTHEM digital platform.
During the visit, the participants took part in the presentation of the online learning manual; got acquainted with the Digital Academy, which is a digital platform of the European University; visited classrooms and laboratories for online tests; got acquainted with software tools for organizing online learning: Moodle, OpenBadge, EduOpen (Mooc); learned about the peculiarities of the functioning of the master’s online programs “International Relations, Politics and Trade”, “Digital Humanities for the Cultural Industry”, “Electronics and Telecommunications Engineering”, “Management Engineering”; got acquainted with the experience of Italian colleagues in researching distance learning and its psychological impact on students.
Sincere thanks to the coordinator of the DEFEP UniPa project team Assunta Polizzi for organizing and conducting the event.
From October 2 to 6, 2023, representatives of the Uman National University of Horticulture Olena NEPOCHATENKO, Rector, Doctor of Economics, Professor, Nataliia LYSA, Chief Accountant, Candidate of Economics, Associate Professor, Inna NOVAK, Head of the Department of Management, Doctor of Economics, Professor, and Alla OSIPOVA, Head of the Department of Economics, Candidate of Economics, Associate Professor, took part in a study visit to Universidad Rey Juan Carlos in Madrid (Spain) within the framework of the international project DEFEP Project Erasmus+ KA2 international project “Distance education for future: Best EU practices in response to the requests of modern higher education seekers and labor market”
The main purpose of the visit was to study the use of media resources in distance education.
As part of the study visit, the scientists of the University of Horticulture got acquainted with the peculiarities of the organization and course of distance education at the King Juan Carlos University (Madrid, Spain), which were told by the Vice-Rector for Transformation and Digital Education Cesar Caceres, Director of the Center for Educational Innovation and Digital Learning Jaime URQUIZA and Professor of the University Clare CANNON. Also, teachers of the King Juan Carlos University generously shared their rich experience in using pedagogical and technical tools in distance education.
Another interesting experience gained was studying the work of the International University of La Rioja UNIR. The University of Online Education is an institution known for its innovative online learning methodologies. The project participants had a unique opportunity to learn about the methodology and innovative tools used by UNIR. The exchange of ideas and experiences was rich and instructive, serving as a catalyst for innovation. A visit to the URJC Center for Learning Innovations and Digital Education, where video and film content for the educational process is created, was also useful.
The team of Uman National University of Horticulture thanks King Juan Carlos University and the participants of the DEFEP Project Erasmus+ KA2 “Distance Education of the Future: EU Best Practices in Response to the Demands of Modern Higher Education Students and the Labor Market”. This exchange contributes to the development of quality distance education in the face of current challenges.
A meeting of the Supervisory Board of the educational institution has recently been held at Uman National University of Horticulture. The agenda included the participation of Uman National University of Horticulture in the international Erasmus+ KA2 DEFEP project “Distance Education for the Future: Best European Practices for Partners”.
Mykhailo Malyovanyi, Vice-Rector for Scientific and Pedagogical Work, reported to the audience on the participation of Uman National University of Horticulture in the project in the area of: Higher Education Capacity Development “Distance Education for Future: EU Best Practices in Response to the Demands of Modern Higher Education Students and the Labor Market”. The project “Distance Education for Future: best EU practices in response to the requests of modern higher education seekers and labor market” (DEFEP) is supported by the European Union’s Erasmus+ Ka2 Program and is being implemented by 11 partner universities from Ukraine, Moldova, Germany, Spain, and Italy. The project implementation period is 2023-2027.
Mykhailo Ivanovych noted that the project aims to introduce a sustainable and effective system of distance education as a separate and independent form of education. An innovative and comprehensive system of distance education will help to adequately adapt to future technological, behavioral, ideological changes and challenges, and its implementation in modern higher education institutions will allow to implement the principle of barrier-free access and create a safe learning environment.
In accordance with the project program, the university took part in the organization and coordination of a sociological survey of stakeholders at the university about priorities, needs and requests for distance education; joined the international forum of educators and employers “Distance Education of the Future: Challenges and Prospects; made a study visit to the University of Saarland (Germany), where they got acquainted with real examples of best practices and best practices in distance education implemented in European universities.
Mykhailo Ivanovych noted that the research work is ongoing, and the researchers are currently working on the section of the analytical report on the institutional environment of distance learning in Ukraine.
Mykhailo Ivanovych also noted that the relevance of the direction in the context of the war in Ukraine is undeniable, and the interest and involvement of not only Ukrainian higher education institutions but also foreign ones in the project proves its prospects and compliance with the requirements of today. The mission of the Uman National University of Horticulture is to provide quality educational services, including distance learning. Therefore, the university strongly supports the project and the implementation of its results in practice.
On September 20-22, scientists of the Uman National University of Horticulture took part in the International Scientific and Practical Conference “Transformations of the Individual, Society and Labor Market: Future Challenges and Impact on Education”.
The conference was held in a hybrid format at V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University within the framework of the Erasmus+ DEFEP project “Distance Education of the Future: EU Best Practices in Response to the Demands of Modern Higher Education Students and Labor Market Representatives”.
The purpose of the conference was to unite the efforts of educators and scientists, representatives of business, government, civil society of Ukraine, Moldova and the EU countries to summarize the experience and identify prospects for further development of the education system in the context of current and future challenges.
Representatives of 11 higher education institutions took part in plenary presentations, breakout sessions and roundtable discussions:
Karazin Kharkiv National University (Ukraine);
Petro Mohyla Black Sea National University (Ukraine);
Vadym Hetman Kyiv National Economic University (Ukraine);
Uman National University of Horticulture (Ukraine);
Lviv National University of Environmental Management (Ukraine);
National University of Chernihiv Polytechnic (Ukraine);
Moldova State University (Moldova);
Technical University of Moldova (Moldova);
University of Saarland (Germany);
King Juan Carlos University (Spain);
University of Palermo (Italy).
The thematic areas of the conference were:
Digitalization of the modern world: challenges of the future.
Modernization of economy, business and finance: intellectual and innovative context.
Socio-political aspects of transformations in the globalized world.
Transformations of the individual and society: the context of history, philosophy, humanities and cultural studies.
Transformations of personality and society: psychological aspects.
Vectors of innovation in education in the national and global context.
We thank the organizers of the event for their fruitful work and look forward to further successful cooperation!
From July 10 to 14, the University of Saarland in Germany hosted a working meeting of participants of the international project “Erasmus+ KA2 DEFEP “Distance Education of the Future: EU best practices in response to the needs of modern higher education students and labor market representatives”, who shared their experience in implementing distance education. Scientists from the Uman National University of Horticulture also joined the discussion of relevant topics, as the educational institution is a participant in this large-scale project. The project itself is part of the Erasmus+ program and is aimed at developing distance education and implementing its best practices developed in the European Union.
During the week, the participants of the study visit to the University of Saarland had the opportunity to get acquainted with real examples of best practices and best practices in distance education implemented in European universities, exchange views and their own vision of the development of the problematic issue, and focus on the features of the distance education system in each of the countries represented at the meeting.
On the first day of the meeting, a meeting of the project’s coordinating board was held, during which prominent university representatives and project coordinators spoke. Among them: Vice President for Internationalization and European Relations, Professor Dr. Cornelius König; DEFEP Project Manager at the University of Saarland, Professor Dr. Astrid Fellner; DEFEP Project Coordinator, PhD in Economics, Associate Professor of the Department of Finance and Credit at Petro Mohyla Black Sea National University Olena Filimonova. The meeting was also joined by Elizabeth VENOR, an expert on intercultural learning, who conducted an exciting seminar for the participants.
Participants shared their experiences and visions of the project’s success and focused on strategies to help implement the plan. Separately, they discussed plans for operational and financial management of the project, including budgetary aspects. Particular attention was paid to the project management plan, so the efforts of the participants were aimed at creating a comprehensive program for the development of cooperation and project implementation.
The next day of the working meeting at the University of Saarland was held in an open space, which made it possible to communicate directly, discuss topical issues of introducing distance education in educational institutions and the challenges that have to be overcome. And thus, to find certain points of contact both in the vision of distance education and in the prospects for its development in the domestic and foreign educational spaces.
The fourth day of the working meeting of the participants of the international project “Erasmus+ KA2 DEFEP: Distance Education of the Future and EU Best Practices” was extremely effective and informative: the speakers shared examples of best practices and best practices in implementing distance education. The issues discussed that day are relevant today for all educational institutions. The work began with a presentation on distance learning at the University of Saarland. Dr. Sebastian HÖFNER (DaTa-Pin project) made an informative presentation about the technical equipment at USAAR – software and hardware. Diana KASPER (DaTa-Pin Project) spoke about Digital Exams at USAAR. Elizabeth MARKS presented a report on a real example of best practice, the EurIdentity Certificate Program. The information from Eva Nossem and Dr. Svitlana KOT, who spoke about the practical research “AI Across Borders: Integrating ChatGPT into Teaching”. At the end of such a busy day, the participants of the working meeting considered the presentation “DAAD Study Bridge Ukraine-Saar: English Philology”, which was presented by Drs. Galyna Zaporozhets and Kateryna Gaidarzhiy.
The conclusion of the Erasmus+ KA2 DEFEP working meeting “Distance Education of the Future: EU Best Practices in Response to the Demands of Modern Higher Education Students and Labor Market Representatives” at the University of Saarland in Germany was also very intense. The participants were greeted by Christian Wagner, Chief Digital Officer of the University of Saarland. The Dean of the Faculty of Humanities at the University of Saarland, Professor Dr. Astrid FELNER spoke about the development of educational programs for distance education. Dr. Astrid Fellner and Dr. Tobias Schank also presented examples of best practices in the “History of the Borderland”. Another example of best practices – “DAAD Study Bridge Ukraine-Saar: Bioorganic Chemistry” was presented by Prof. Dr. Klaus JACOB. “Summer School in Time of War” was a presentation of best practices presented by Prof. Dr. Astrid FELNER, Dr. Svitlana KOT and Eva NOSSEM. The presentation on the quality management system of the University of Saarland and the Joint Courses (by Dr. Deborah Werner and Simon Koch, Quality Assurance Office; Transform4Europe) was interesting, informative and useful. The working meeting was concluded by Janik Raphael STARK, who spoke about H5P in Moodle.
In addition to the working sessions, the participants had the opportunity to tour the campus and library of the University of Saarland, as well as visit the UniGR-Center for Border Studies; to get acquainted with the modern facilities of the educational institution, its history and fascinating architecture. This contributed to a better understanding of the essential context and educational opportunities of the University of Saarland.
At the end of the working sessions, the meeting participants had the opportunity to learn about the local culture by going on a fascinating city tour, during which they discovered its unique history, saw the sights, and gained new knowledge.
The project participants express their sincere gratitude to the University of Saarland for the intense days of research, learning and cooperation, and look forward to further work within the project and plan to continue working to develop distance education and implement best practices in each country, which will contribute to the development of a modern educational environment and ensure the proper quality of education in response to the needs of employers and the labor market.
The official opening of the Erasmus+ project in the field of Higher Education Capacity Development “Distance Education of the Future: EU Best Practices in Response to the Demands of Modern Higher Education Students and the Labor Market” (DEFEP) took place on April 3-6, 2023 in a hybrid format.
The presentation of the project and participants took place on April 3, 2023. On this day, welcoming speeches from the EACEA Project Officer Rosalba Nardelli and the Heads of the National Erasmus+ Office in Ukraine and Moldova Svitlana Shytikova and Claudia Melinte were delivered at the Petro Mohyla Black Sea National University.
On April 05-06, the Uman National University of Horticulture hosted a kick-off meeting of the coordinator and participants of the project, which brought together a cohort of universities from Ukraine, Moldova, Germany, and Italy, in a mixed format.
