The impact of international projects on learning and teaching excellence in Ukrainian higher education

Abstract

The article reveals the issues of crucial role of international projects in modernizing
higher education in Ukraine, directly influencing teaching, learning, and overall quality
assurance in accordance with national legislation and European standards. The
National Agency for Higher Education Quality Assurance (NAQA) recognizes the
importance of these projects in adopting student-centered approaches, promoting
academic freedom, and integrating research with education. NAQA's annual reports
highlight the role of international projects and mobility programmes in equipping
students with competencies that align with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals.
International cooperation, particularly through programs like Erasmus+, serves as a
key driver for knowledge transfer, innovation exchange, and capacity building.
Erasmus+ is particularly influential through its key actions: Key Action 1 (KA1)
Mobility: Promotes academic mobility for students and staff, exposing them to diverse
pedagogical methods, classroom formats, and quality assurance practices. This
includes virtual exchanges, which have become vital during wartime. Key Action 2
(KA2) - Cooperation: Facilitates the development and improvement of educational
programmes, including interdisciplinary curricula, aligning them with European
standards and labour market needs. These projects implement problem-based
learning, project-based learning, and other active learning methods. Key Action 3
(KA3) - Policy Support: Supports reforms in education, vocational training, youth, and
sports. Jean Monnet Actions: Promote excellence in teaching and research on
European integration, encouraging new courses and research initiatives.
Projects funded by other programmes, such as Horizon Europe, also have a significant
impact. Although focused on research and innovation, they foster a strong link
between learning and research. For example, Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
(MSCA) support doctoral and postdoctoral programmes, creating an academic
environment that encourages cross-border, inter-sectoral, and interdisciplinary
mobility, which directly impacts the quality of education and career development.