At the basis of the Education and Research Institute “Ukrainian Engineering and Pedagogical Academy” of V.N. Karazin Kharkiv National University, the international project MOTIVET4UA - “Promoting Multimodal Educational Practices and Teacher Competencies in Vocational Education and Training (VET): Ukraine - Finland Cooperation” is being implemented.
The project brings together leading Ukrainian and Finnish higher education institutions, including the University of Jyväskylä, JAMK University of Applied Sciences, V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University, and Hryhorii Skovoroda University in Pereiaslav, with the aim of developing modern educational practices, multimodal pedagogy, digital learning, and improving the quality of teacher training in Ukraine.
The project is being implemented with the support of the Finnish National Agency for Education (EDUFI) as part of the Team Finland Knowledge (TFK) programme, which aims to develop international educational cooperation and strengthen partnerships between Ukraine and Finland.
A key event within the project was the International School of Pedagogical Excellence, “Research Insights in the Field of Professional Teacher Education”, which took place online from 21 October to 20 December 2025.
The school was attended by teachers from higher education, pre-higher vocational and vocational-technical education institutions, students, as well as representatives of educational and non-government organisations.
The school’s programme covered key challenges and trends in modern education, including:
- addressing learning loss during times of crisis;
- developing a competence-based approach;
- creating learning ecosystems;
- implementing the principles of sustainable development;
- effective online learning practices;
- the role of narratives in the modern educational environment.
Leading Ukrainian and international experts took part in the sessions, including:
- Oksana Kovtun (Hryhorii Skovoroda University in Pereiaslav),
- Maryna Vasylieva (Institute of International Relations, V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University),
as well as researchers from the University of Jyväskylä (Finland) — Maarit Virolainen, Anna Lehtonen, Päivi Häkkinen, Eeva Kallio, Hannu L. T. Heikkinen.
This ensured a high standard of academic quality and international expertise for the programme.
In total, around 300 participants successfully completed the course and received certificates of professional development for 90 hours (3 ECTS).
The MOTIVET4UA project is being implemented in terms of significant challenges faced by Ukraine’s education system due to the war, and is aimed at supporting teachers, developing distance and hybrid learning, and adapting educational programmes to current conditions.
The holding of the International School of Pedagogical Excellence has been an important step in the development of international cooperation, the introduction of innovative educational approaches, and the improvement of the quality of professional teacher training in Ukraine.
