European, global and intercultural dimension in curriculum development
The internationalisation of higher education in Ukraine is aimed at increasing awareness of global and European values, standards and achievements, as well as ensuring their integration into the national educational context while preserving the country’s cultural and historical identity.
Ukrainian higher education institutions (HEIs) draw on international experience to improve educational programmes and governance practices. Within this process, the best international approaches to institutional decision-making are being introduced, staff intercultural communication skills are being developed, and an institutional culture is being fostered that supports effective interaction with representatives of different countries, cultures and religions, including international students and academic staff. Internationalisation policies also provide for the enhancement of foreign language proficiency among all participants in the educational process.
Partnerships and networks
The European University Association (EUA) represents over 870 universities and national conferences (unions) of rectors in 49 European countries. The EUA plays a crucial role in the Bologna Process and influences the EU policies on higher education, research and innovations. Through continuous interaction with a number of other European and international organisations, the EUA becomes a forum for the independent voice of European universities. The EUA provides members with unparalleled opportunities to exchange best practices, participate in projects, events, and other mutual educational activities involving a wide range of universities. The EUA also provides members with unique opportunities to shape European policies and initiatives related to higher education and research. Universities in Europe and around the world are crucial for global sustainable development.
Thus, the EUA supports the global agenda to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Universities contribute to the achievement of those goals through research and education in a wide range of disciplines that have the potential to contribute to a better future. The EUA supports its members in achieving the SDGs through advocacy and project work and is a member of SDG Watch Europe. The EUA also recognises the importance of the SDGs in its Strategic Plan.
The International Association of Universities (IAU), founded in 1950 under the auspices of UNESCO, is the leading global association of HEIs and educational organisations from around the world. The IAU is an independent, bilingual (English and French), non-governmental organisation. Membership in the IAU is open to HEIs and other organisations. The IAU is a global forum for leaders of institutions and associations. It brings together nearly 600 members from more than 130 countries to implement shared priorities. It acts as the global voice of higher education for a wide range of international and intergovernmental organisations, including UNESCO. Members of the IAU benefit from a wide range of services on a priority basis. Other higher education stakeholders, such as organisations, institutions, higher education bodies, policy and decision-makers, professionals, administrators, teachers, researchers and students may also benefit from those services. Membership fees are the source of funding for the IAU. It allows for the effective realisation of its wide range of activities. They include a series of online webinars and thematic debates, events, conferences, publications, projects and other initiatives. The IAU is an official partner of UNESCO with an associate member status. It has received special consultative status from the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). The IAU has member status in the Council of Europe.
The Network of Institutes and Schools of Public Administration in Central and Eastern Europe (NISPAcee) started working in 1994. It was legally registered under Slovak law as an international, non-governmental, non-profit organisation in October 1995. It has headquarters in Bratislava, Slovakia. The NISPAcee’s mission is to promote and strengthen effective and democratic governance and the modernisation of public administration and policy throughout its region. Key strategic priorities for the NISPAcee in the modern era include:
- the NISPAcee is an academic association and community. Its primary objective is the promotion of the improvement of teaching and research in the NISPAcee’s region in the field of public administration and public policy;
- the NISPAcee provides a forum for scientists to share their findings with each other and with practitioners. The main venue for sharing results and experiences is the annual conferences and the journal;
- the NISPAcee seeks to expand collaboration with training centres. It provides programmes and training materials for practitioners and available resources as needed;
- the NISPAcee supports democratic governance and the modernisation of public administration through practice-oriented research and the involvement of practitioners in its activities. Practitioner involvement can take the form of membership and special events for practitioners. They include thematic panels at the annual conference, training programmes, thematic workshops, consulting projects, etc.
The NISPAcee region covers 5 geographical areas:
- new EU member states (Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Croatia, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia);
- non-EU Eastern European countries (Belarus, Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova, Turkey).
- Western Balkan countries (NorthMacedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Albania, Montenegro).
- Central Asian countries (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan).
- Countries in the Caucasus (Armenia, Georgia, Azerbaijan).
The International Network of Universities (INU) is a global consortium of HEIs that actively seek international partnership opportunities and expertise. They create innovative programmes and teaching methods, and participate in internationalisation processes.
The INU’s activities focus on:
- promoting the internationalisation of member universities;
- preparing learners for life and careers as global citizens;
- involving learners and staff in international and virtual mobility programmes;
- exchange of experience and best practices;
- teaching within the framework of dual degree programmes;
- support for international scientific cooperation.
The INU is a global platform to deliver transformative experiences to continuously promote the engagement of learners, faculty, and staff globally.
The INU network has 13 member universities:
- The European University Viadrina in Frankfurt (Germany),
- De Montfort University (United Kingdom),
- Hiroshima University (Japan),
- James Madison University (USA),
- Kingston University London (United Kingdom),
- Malmö University (Sweden),
- Universität Osnabrück (Germany),
- Universiteit Stellenbosch (South Africa),
- Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv (Ukraine),
- Tecnológico de Antioquia (Columbia),
- Universidad Rovira i Virgili (Spain),
- Universidad Nacional del Litoral (Argentina),
- Parahyangan Catholic University (Indonesia).
The Baltic Universities Programme (BUP) is an active network of around 100 universities located in 10 countries of the Baltic Sea basin. It started in 1991 as an attempt to bridge the information gap left by the Iron Curtain and has been growing steadily ever since. After thirty years of fruitful collaboration, the BUP and its mission are still as relevant as ever. The network aims to promote the sustainable development of the Baltic Sea Region.
The BUP supports collaboration between researchers, teachers, learners from participating universities, and staff from international relations departments and other university structures. The network assists university administrations in addressing strategic issues related to internationalisation. The participants share similar experiences and face similar challenges – both global and region-specific. They actively exchange knowledge and find innovative ways to promote and implement sustainable development in that region.
The BUP seeks to find new ways of interacting between universities themselves and between universities and society. The main goal is to strengthen sustainable regional educational and research communities, as well as to promote greater awareness of the programme’s priority areas. The BUP focuses on issues of sustainable development, environmental protection and democracy in the Baltic Sea region. It supports the key role of universities in democratic, peaceful and sustainable development.
The BUP achieves its goal because the network is an open and inclusive organisation that develops and offers university courses, trainings and conferences. It supports multi- and interdisciplinary research collaboration and participates in transdisciplinary cooperation projects with governments, municipalities and other organisations. The network offers research topics designed to inform the wider community, promoting greater awareness and interaction between researchers, educators and learners.