The DonSUIA workgroup on the implementation of the grant project Erasmus+ UNICOM “Universities communities: strengthening cooperation” – Project EU Erasmus+ “Universities-Communities: strengthening cooperation” (UNICOM) (2023-2026) started participation in a three-day workshop.
The event was opened by Svitlana Shytikova, coordinator of the EU project “National Erasmus+ office in Ukraine”. She acquainted participants with the influence of international cooperation and engagement in the third mission of the Universities.
The Deputy Minister of Education and Science of Ukraine Mykhailo Vynnytskyi, reported on the theme “The third mission of the Universities in turbulent times”. He distinguished three functions of modern HEI: educational, researching, and social – communication with the local communities.
He emphasized that universities should be “a place of life” – integrated into community life and be the driver of regional development.
“Due to the war, a lot of Ukrainian HEI were damaged. Today the third mission of the Universities is to help the army and participate in solving the problems of local communities, which are connected with the war. In the post-war period HEI in addition to their main activities, should become regional centers of retraining, where they will provide moral and psychological assistance” – said Mykhailo Vynnytskyi. Hanna Buha, Head of the Scientific Work Organization Department presented to the participants of the event report “Return of Combatants to Communities: an inclusive driver training program at the DonSUIA”.
She talked about driving schools for people with disabilities – the flagship project of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, which is implemented within the framework of the initiative of the first lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska “Without barriers”. The goal of the project is to create an effective and comfortable system for adapting people with disabilities to driving vehicles and to help defenders of Ukraine to integrate into society.
The speaker noted that professional psychologists are working now at the University, a new specialty 053 Psychology of specialization “Legal Psychology”, where specialists in crisis psychology will also be trained.
The first vice-rector of the DonSUIA Yehor Nazymko, acquainted the participants of the workshop with the methodology of project realisation. He added that purchasing of the special motor vehicle and the equipment of the classroom took place at the expense of the subvention of the Mariupol City Council. Studying at a driving school will help military personnel adapt to civilian life faster – the university is actively working on this.
