The first international EdYOUFest conference in Ukraine was held at Uzhhorod University
On 9 October, Uzhhorod University hosted an international conference on professional development and networking for educators entitled "EdYOUFest Uzhhorod 2026". This event is particularly significant, as the conference was held in Ukraine for the first time, and specifically in Uzhhorod.
This year's theme is "Human Intelligence in the Age of Technology". It addressed the role of teachers at a time when artificial intelligence is becoming a customary tool for learning.
The conference was opened by its host, conference speaker and member of EdYOUFest, Doctor of Philosophy in Linguistics, Associate Professor of the Department of Applied Linguistics of the Faculty of International Economic Relations Antonina Devitska. The event highlighted the most important and at the same time most complex topic in the educational community: how to preserve the human dimension of education in a world of rapid technological development.
"Technology can help us teach, create and communicate, but at the centre of the educational process there always remains a human being: their voice, emotions, thinking, creativity," emphasised Associate Professor Antonina Devitska.
On behalf of the founder of EdYOUFest, Giovanni Rottura, the participants were greeted by Myroslava Skrynyk, Associate Professor of the Department of Language Training, Doctor of Philosophy in Law, member of EdYOUFest and representative of this organisation in Ukraine. "Every great idea begins with a single conversation. One conversation can become a partnership, and a partnership can give rise to a whole movement," she emphasised.
The conference was officially opened by the Acting Vice-Rector for Research and Pedagogical Work and International Relations, Doctor of Political Sciences, Professor Myroslava Lendiel: "I am convinced that education will survive, and education will save the world. Our mission as educators is to teach the younger generation good values, good communication and tolerance." Uzhhorod, in her words, has a history of precisely such communication and tolerance, and is therefore well suited to such meetings.
On behalf of the Faculty of International Economic Relations, the participants were greeted by the Deputy Dean for Research, Doctor of Economic Sciences, Professor Maryna Korol. She thanked the guests who had come despite the trying times for Ukraine, and wished for constructive dialogue and fresh ideas.
The Director of the Educational and Research Institute of Multidisciplinary Research SMART City, Candidate of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Associate Professor Diana Kaints emphasised the importance of a smart approach to teaching and learning foreign languages for children and young people.
The Acting Head of the Department of Applied Linguistics, Associate Professor Mariana Tomenchuk also took the floor: "The topics we will consider today prompt us to reflect on the role of the teacher, our professional well-being, the impact of technology and, perhaps most importantly, the need to preserve human connection and meaningful communication at the very heart of education."
The welcoming part was concluded by the Vice-Rector of the Academy of Culture and Arts for Research and Pedagogical Work, Candidate of Economic Sciences, Associate Professor Yaroslav Ahii. On behalf of the Rector of the Academy, he thanked foreign colleagues for their solidarity with Ukraine and emphasised that during the war Ukrainian culture takes on particular importance: "Music, dance and the performing arts open up opportunities for intercultural dialogue and cooperation."
The conference programme included three plenary presentations. The first two were by Daniel Xerri – a Maltese scholar and teacher trainer, Chair of the English Language Teaching Council (ELT Council) at the Ministry of Education of Malta, Professor at the Centre for Academic Literacy and English Communication Skills (C-ALECS) of the University of Malta. His first presentation, "Educators on the Front Lines of Armed Conflict: Well-being, Roles, and Agency", was devoted to teachers working in conditions of armed conflict. He spoke about preserving psychological well-being, the new roles of educators and the importance of not losing the ability to make decisions independently. In his second presentation, "Teachers as Thinking Beings: Reflection and Technology in Professional Growth", Professor Xerri revealed the role of reflection in shaping teachers' professional identity, rethinking their beliefs and improving teaching practices. He paid particular attention to the potential of video tools and AI-based platforms, which can become effective in teachers' professional growth provided they are used within a human-centred approach based on dialogue, critical thinking and conscious learning.
The third presentation was by Nataliia Liashko – a member of the international EdYOUFest community, teacher trainer and speaker at international conferences. In the presentation "Reclaiming the Classroom for Human Connection and Real Communication", she proposed encouraging students to engage in live communication. According to her, it is genuine communication between teacher and student that no technology can replace.
The role of the event for the university was described by the Acting Vice-Rector for Research and Pedagogical Work and International Activity, Professor Myroslava Lendiel: "Our teachers of language disciplines gain the opportunity to establish partnerships with colleagues in Ukraine and abroad, to study the experience of other countries in supporting teachers' well-being and to launch new joint projects."
The conference concluded with a spectacular programme by students of the Academy of Culture and Arts, who presented Ukrainian folk songs in vocal performance and choreographic compositions, demonstrating the richness and distinctiveness of Ukrainian cultural heritage. A special place in the programme was occupied by the choreographic composition "From Generation to Generation" performed by the folk dance ensemble of the Academy of Culture and Arts "Colours of the Carpathians" under the direction of Merited Worker of Culture of Ukraine Mykhailo Shutiv.
The partners of the event were Express Publishing Ukraine, the Educational and Research Institute of Interdisciplinary Research SMART City, the Department of Applied Linguistics and the Faculty of Foreign Philology of Uzhhorod University, and the Academy of Culture and Arts.
Valeriia Melnyk,
Information and Publishing Centre.
