UzhNU students joined the master classes of the University Global Challenge educational project
On 20 November and 5 December, as part of the University Global Challenge educational project supported by the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan), masterclasses on creative thinking and pitching to business were organised for students of Uzhhorod National University.
British speakers Paresh Parmar and Joseph Buglas shared their professional and personal experiences, offering students best practices and advice.
Paresh Parmar is a Senior Lecturer and Head of International Development and Partnerships at the School of Arts and Media at the University of Central Lancashire. His interests include all aspects of fashion brand marketing, as well as the development and use of digital technologies in the creative industries. Students had the opportunity to learn all about creative thinking from Paresh Parmar.
Joseph Buglas, who told the students about pitching in business, has been personally helping students and young people who are starting their own businesses and want to make investments for the past 20 years. He has also had several business ideas implemented himself, making him an expert in this area. Joseph is also a therapist, so the students heard about different ways to overcome fears, encouragement and self-support.
As Victoria Petrushka, a participant in the event and a specialist in the International Relations Department, correctly noted: "Creativity, creative thinking and entrepreneurial skills are particularly in demand in today's labour market. The presentations gave the students the opportunity to learn more about the practices and techniques of influence, to develop a so-called persuasion technique, in order to start their own business or entrepreneurial activity or improve the business system. In addition, we discussed ideas and tips that will be needed for self-presentation and promotion of a start-up's own strategic idea."
Given the value of developing creative thinking skills and the basic concept of pitching (presenting one's own idea), these meetings proved to be useful sources of information.
Among the active students who took part in the masterclass was Erika Stanko, a 4th year student majoring in Special Education at the Faculty of Health and Physical Education, who said: "As a future oligophrenic teacher, I found the lecture on creative thinking - applying different thinking strategies for decision-making - particularly interesting."
"This event left me with pleasant emotions and a lot of thoughts. The lecturer is a real motivator and I think each participant has generated a lot of ideas for business. In addition to knowledge about business plans, investors and financing, we were able to understand that the psychological component is extremely important. Self-confidence, persuasiveness, experience and knowledge are integral to success," - shares her impressions Kateryna Lyashenko, 4th year student of the Faculty of History and International Relations, majoring in International Relations.
The meetings were informative and accessible, so that students of different courses and specialities had the opportunity to expand their knowledge and will be able to apply it in the future in their professional life. The audience had the opportunity to participate in the discussion of the photos and videos, answer questions and ask questions directly, and discuss.
It is not the first time that many students of Uzhhorod National University have attended such video conferences organized in partnership with the British University of Central Lancashire, and each time it is new information and new skills, professional growth.
The participants of the workshops really appreciate this opportunity and express their gratitude to the organizers.
Oleksandra Svezhentseva
first-year student majoring in Journalism
