On 9–10 October, Prague hosted the 6th International Multidisciplinary Conference for Young Researchers, “Science and Innovation: Advancing the Path to a Sustainable Future”, which annually brings together young scholars, lecturers, and researchers from various fields to foster interdisciplinary dialogue and promote innovative scientific approaches.
The event gathered representatives of universities from Ukraine and across Europe who presented research findings in the fields of sustainable development, education, culture, technology, and societal transformations. A key part of the programme was the presentation of results from the UNICOM project – “Strengthening University–Community Collaboration”, implemented by a consortium of EU and Ukrainian universities. UNICOM partners actively contributed to the conference by presenting studies related to the Third Mission of universities, community engagement, and societal resilience.
Bohdan Khmelnytsky Melitopol State Pedagogical University was represented by Nadiia Akulova with the presentation “Illustrated Knowledge: The University’s Role in Shaping Ecological Thinking through Children’s Picturebooks”. Her contribution demonstrated how university experts can influence the development of children’s environmental awareness through visual educational materials. The research highlighted the potential of interdisciplinary projects that combine environmental education, pedagogy, and cultural studies, as well as the university’s role in producing knowledge aimed at public benefit beyond the academic environment.
Drahomanov Ukrainian State University was represented by Hanna Afuzova and Iryna Markus with the presentation “Implementation of the Third Mission of the University at Drahomanov Ukrainian State University”, which outlined the institution’s systematic approach to fulfilling the Third Mission, developing partnerships with communities, implementing social projects, and fostering a culture of civic engagement. The speakers emphasized the importance of inclusion, collaboration with local communities, and the creation of socially oriented educational practices.
Researchers from the Institute of Higher Education of the National Academy of Educational Sciences of Ukraine — Alla Havryliuk, Head of the Department of Social and Institutional Transformations in Higher Education, and Nataliia Shofolova, Chief Research Fellow at the Department of University–Society Interaction — also presented papers directly related to the UNICOM project’s themes.
Alla Havryliuk delivered the presentation “Educational Reintegration of Male and Female Veterans of the Russian–Ukrainian War in the Context of Socio-Humanitarian Transformations of Universities”, presenting research results on the educational reintegration of veterans, the role of universities in supporting military personnel, and the socio-humanitarian transformations of higher education in the post-war context.
Nataliia Shofolova presented “Financial Inclusion in the Context of Universities’ Third Mission”, which focused on financial inclusion as a component of the Third Mission, the opportunities for involving broader population groups in financial education, and building a more inclusive academic environment.
The participation of UNICOM project partners in the conference underscored the significance of inter-university cooperation, knowledge exchange, and the development of innovative approaches to the Third Mission of universities, while also strengthening collaboration between academic institutions and communities.
The conference’s Book of Abstracts and the presentations of Ukrainian participants are available in the Materials.
