Ukraine and Azerbaijan discussed cooperation in the field of engineering education and industrial development at Uzhhorod University

The meeting took place within the framework of a session of the Ukrainian-Azerbaijani Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation. Among the participants was Elvin Rustamov, Deputy Head of the Office of the Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

At the beginning of the meeting, Oleh Sharov, Director General of the Directorate of Higher Education and Adult Education of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, thanked the organisers of the event — Uzhhorod University and the Donbas State Engineering Academy. He emphasised the importance of the meeting for exchanging ideas, discussing current issues and developing proposals for further cooperation.

During the meeting, the features of the educational system of Zakarpattia, the experience of relocating higher education institutions, the development of engineering education in the region and the prospects of Ukrainian-Azerbaijani cooperation were discussed.

Oksana Dovhanych, Deputy Head of the Directorate of the Department of Education and Science, Youth and Sports of the Zakarpattia Oblast Military Administration, spoke about the educational system of the oblast. According to her, about 150 thousand pupils, more than 10 thousand students of professional pre-higher education institutions and more than 20 thousand students of higher education institutions study in Zakarpattia. At the same time, the region has become a site for relocated enterprises and educational institutions, which affects the needs of the local labour market and educational offerings.

«Higher education today offers new specialties that are relevant in the labour market. These are engineering, robotics, mechanics, mechanical engineering», — noted Oksana Dovhanych.

The participants paid particular attention to the experience of relocating the Donbas State Engineering Academy. Larysa Shylkova, Director of the Educational and Methodological Centre of the Academy, spoke about this.

During her presentation, Larysa Shylkova showed how much the city and the living conditions of its residents have changed as a result of the war. At the same time, she emphasised that, despite the challenges associated with the war and forced displacement, the academy is ready to continue its work and develop cooperation at its new relocation site.

Bohdan Vorobiov, Vice-Rector of the Donbas State Engineering Academy, spoke about the shortage of engineering personnel in the world and the challenges of Ukrainian education. He outlined the institution's plans for the development of engineering education and their implementation in Zakarpattia. He also noted the advantages of the region for study and international cooperation: the possibility of a fully in-person educational process and proximity to European countries.

Acting Rector of Uzhhorod University Volodymyr Smolanka presented the institution, speaking about its development after the merger of the two largest universities in the region. He outlined the scale of the university, its educational programmes, academic and teaching potential and its positions in national and international rankings. He focused separately on international activity: currently 311 foreign students study at the university, and academic mobility programmes are gradually expanding.

Vladyslav Furdyk, a representative of the company Friendly Wind Technology, spoke about the challenges faced by modern high-tech enterprises. In his presentation, he focused on current needs and prospects for the development of high-tech production.

In conclusion, Elvin Rustamov, Deputy Head of the Office of the Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan, emphasised that Ukraine has partners ready to support it in overcoming the challenges of war.

Hanna Feltsan,

Information and Publishing Centre