The ERI “Ukrainian Engineering and Pedagogical Academy”, as part of the project team, joined the holding of the International Kharkiv Youth Textile Forum by V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University, together with the "Innovation Generation" NGO, on September 25-26, 2025, as part of the TEX4YUA project.
The TEX4YUA project – “Sustainable Excellence for Ukrainian Youth in the Textile and Apparel Industry” – is being implemented by a partnership consisting of the University of Borås (Sweden), Lutsk National Technical University, the “Innovation Generation” NGO, and the Education and Research Institute “Ukrainian Engineering and Pedagogical Academy” of V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University within the framework of the Swedish Institute's Baltic Sea Neighbourhood Programme.
The project aims to provide Ukrainian school and university students, teachers at the beginning of their careers, and young workers in the textile industry with knowledge, skills and innovative thinking in the field of textiles in order to become competitive in the international market. The project also aims to promote innovation and provide teaching staff with advanced teaching methods and research approaches.
The Kharkiv Youth Textile Forum lasted two days and consisted of a strategic session, a fashion show, a visit to a manufacturing enterprise, and a series of master classes and training sessions.
The forum brought together representatives of universities, industry enterprises, applicants, teachers, and vocational training masters from pre-higher and vocational (vocational-technical) educational institutions in Kharkiv, Lutsk, Irpin, Kyiv, and other cities.
The participants were welcomed by Denys Kovalenko, Director of the Education and Research Institute “Ukrainian Engineering and Pedagogical Academy” of V.N. Karazin Kharkiv National University, Iryna Shteimiller, Head of the International Relations Department of V.N. Karazin Kharkiv National University, Volodymyr Serheiev, Chairman of the “Innovation Generation” NGO, Liudmyla Nazarchuk, Head of the Department of Light Industry Technologies at Lutsk National Technical University, Svitlana Nechipor, Director of the Regional Centre for Vocational Education in Sewing Production and Services in the Kharkiv Region, Oleh Lytvyn, Head of the Department of Food Technologies, Light Industry and Design at the ERI “UEPA” of V.N. Karazin Kharkiv National University, Roman Nesterenko, Deputy Head of the International Relations Department at V.N. Karazin Kharkiv National University.
Dr. Tusser Biswas, project manager of TEX4YUA, researcher and lecturer at the Faculty of Textiles, Engineering and Business, Department of Textile Technology at the University of Borås (Sweden), shared the project's goals and achievements with participants and presented the opportunities for textile education at the University of Borås.
During the panel session, participants had the opportunity to listen to presentations by key speakers, namely:
- ‘EU Ecodesign Regulation. The Future of Sustainable Development in the Textile and Fashion Industry’ was presented by Tetiana Pushkarova, Development Manager at Re:inventex LLC;
- ‘Challenges and opportunities in recycled yarn production: the path to sustainability for a Ukrainian knitting company’ was presented by Pavlo Selezen, individual entrepreneur Selezen P.O.;
- ‘Fashion, Economy and Identity: The Role of Textiles in Market Creation’ was presented by Olena Parkhomenko, project manager and trainer at the “Innovation Generation NGO”, associate professor at the Department of Management and Administration at Karazin Business School;
- ‘Extending the life of clothing as a path to a sustainable future: the experience of the Zhuravlivka humanitarian hub in Kharkiv’ was presented by Yuliia Makarova, founder of the Zhuravlivka humanitarian hub;
- ‘Developing competencies in the field of sustainability in the textile and clothing industry based on cooperation with European universities’ was presented by Mykola Riabchykov, Professor of the Department of Light Industry Technologies at Lutsk National Technical University;
- "European experience of sustainability in the textile and clothing industry through the eyes of Ukrainian youth. Challenges and ways to overcome them in Ukraine" was presented by Kateryna Nedelko and Kateryna Torkut, master's degree students majoring in G15 Light Industry Technologies at the ERI “UEPA” of V.N. Karazin Kharkiv National University.
A fashion show was also organised for all participants, featuring clothing collections created by students from higher, pre-higher, and vocational and technical education institutions, namely:
- “Denim By Future” collection by the Education and Research Institute “Ukrainian Engineering and Pedagogical Academy” of V.N. Karazin Kharkiv National University;
- “Modificashion” collection and “Office Rebellion” collection by Kharkiv Professional College of Technology and Design;
- “Ukraine United” collection by Lutsk National Technical University;
- “Slobozhanski Mavky” collection by the Regional Centre for Vocational Education in Sewing Production and Services in the Kharkiv Region;
- “Slobozhanshchyna” collection by the Kharkiv Higher Vocational School of Sewing and Household Services
Deputy Director of the Education and Research Institute “Ukrainian Engineering and Pedagogical Academy” of V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University, Doctor of Pedagogical Sciences, Professor Maryna Vasylieva conducted a gamified training course entitled “Crisis Situations, Trauma and Mental Health Management” for representatives of educational institutions.
On the second day of the forum, specialists from the Centre for Innovative Educational Technologies of the Education and Research Institute “Ukrainian Engineering and Pedagogical Academy” of V.N. Karazin Kharkiv National University held a series of practice-oriented master classes for both students and teachers, namely:
- master class on design development in VR (trainers: Oleksandr Prysiazhnyi and Kseniia Prysiazhna);
- master class on sublimation printing (trainers: Maksym Baturin and Kyrylo Kosharnyi);
- master class in clothing painting (instructors: Anastasiia Yelahina and Kateryna Nedelko).
A key part of the forum was a visit to Pavlo Selezen’s modern knitting factory.
You can find out more about the project, including details and an online platform for sharing resources and comprehensive training materials, on the official TEX4YUA website.
