Today, September 3, representatives of the Kingdom of Sweden visited Vasyl Stefanyk Carpathian National University — Clara Lindström, an analyst at the Stockholm Center for East European Studies (SCEEUS) at the Swedish Institute of International Affairs (UI), and Erik Eldblom, a civil servant at the Embassy of Sweden in Kyiv.
The guests met with the first vice-rector, Valentyna Yakubiv, the dean of the Faculty of Management, Iryna Pyatnychuk, the dean of the Faculty of History, Political Science and International Relations, Ihor Hurak, and the lecturer of the Department of Biology and Ecology, Ulyana Semak.
The participants of the meeting outlined the prospects for cooperation between the Vasyl Stefanyk Carpathian National University and the Stockholm Center for East European Studies (SCEEUS).
In particular, the following areas were discussed:
Academic collaboration and research
– European integration processes and economic transformations;
– the impact of the Ukraine-EU Association Agreement on the regional development of the Carpathian region;
– adaptation of the agricultural sector of the Carpathian region to the requirements of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP);
– monitoring the implementation of the acquis communautaire in the areas of trade, environment, energy and digitalization;
– local government reforms, decentralization and sustainable development of mountain regions.
European-oriented educational programs and academic mobility
– summer schools and double degree master’s programs;
– scholarship programs for Ukrainian students;
– residences for European researchers at the university;
– international internships and student and faculty exchange programs.
Scientific events and publication activities
– holding international conferences, round tables and workshops (in particular on the Green Deal and sustainable development of the agricultural sector);
– preparation of joint scientific articles in international journals.
Practical initiatives and expertise
– expert support for the implementation of European standards in various sectors of the economy;
– advising local authorities on the use of EU funds;
– development of a road map for sectoral integration with the EU.
Grants and funding
– joint participation in European grant programs (Horizon Europe, Erasmus+, Interreg, Jean Monnet Activities, EIT Food).
The discussed initiatives create new opportunities for the development of academic cooperation, student mobility, joint research, and the introduction of European practices into the educational process.
Such cooperation will contribute not only to academic exchange, but also to practical progress of Ukraine on the path to full membership in the EU.
At the end of the meeting, First Vice-Rector Valentyna Yakubiv thanked the delegation of the Kingdom of Sweden for the meaningful dialogue and expressed hope that the outlined areas of cooperation would soon be put into practice. She emphasized that for Vasyl Stefanyk Carpathian National University, partnership with leading European research centers is an important step towards strengthening the international authority of the institution and expanding opportunities for students and teachers.
