Translation:
As part of the Erasmus KA2 project “Capacity Building in Higher Education,” Sumy National Agrarian University organized a workshop titled “Models of Cooperation Between Universities and Communities: Comparative Perspectives from Germany and Ukraine”, which served as an important platform for exchanging experiences and fostering collaboration between academic institutions and local communities. The workshop was attended by representatives of higher education institutions, local government bodies, civil society organizations, and businesses from both countries.
The event was opened by Olena Melnyk and Diana Spulber, who emphasized the importance of establishing effective communication between universities and communities to develop joint projects focused on social and economic progress. They stressed that today’s challenges require new approaches to cooperation and innovative solutions, with universities positioned as centers of intellectual growth that help drive community development.
One of the most notable moments of the workshop was a presentation by Ralf Tridel, who shared his experience in creating the “Open Innovation City” project. This concept involves creating an environment that fosters progress and addresses key issues through the active participation of urban society. Ralf highlighted the importance of strategically accessing external innovative potential to foster a culture of open innovation, which serves as a foundation for the sustainable development of cities and communities. He outlined the project’s key goals, objectives, and partners, as well as five core principles of open innovation, sparking lively discussions among participants.
Margarita Lyshenko presented the activities of the Business School of Sumy National Agrarian University, which operates within the project framework. She shared examples of successfully implemented projects that have significantly impacted community development, including:
1.Reintegration of veterans and their families – the program “Entrepreneurship and Business Leadership,” aimed at adapting veterans to civilian life by supporting them in developing their own businesses.
2.Social Entrepreneurship School – a pilot educational project implemented from June 4 to July 4, 2024, at the Sumy Business School. This course is designed to transform entrepreneurial ideas into comprehensive business projects with a strong social component. Supported by the United Nations, it aims to help communities affected by war recover by creating socially oriented businesses.
3.Comprehensive Rural Community Development Program – a project aimed at creating a network of empowered representatives of local government bodies to support rural community development in the context of Ukraine’s European integration.
The establishment of centers for cooperation between universities and communities in higher education institutions is a key element for building effective interaction between academic institutions and local communities. These centers should coordinate joint projects, organize educational programs, provide consulting services to local authorities and businesses, and serve as platforms for developing social initiatives. Key elements include defining positions such as center managers, project coordinators, analysts, communication specialists, and establishing clear responsibilities and authority to ensure the effectiveness of this collaboration.
The workshop concluded with active exchanges of ideas, experiences, and future plans. Participants discussed the potential for developing models of cooperation between universities and communities, particularly in the context of post-conflict recovery and European integration. One of the important conclusions was the recognition of the need to create open innovation platforms that involve the public in decision-making processes related to the development of local economies and social initiatives.
The event highlighted the importance of such collaboration for ensuring the sustainable development of territorial communities and effectively integrating new governance approaches to meet contemporary challenges. The projects discussed during the workshop provide real opportunities to implement this collaboration through innovative business practices and social initiatives.
Thus, the workshop became a significant milestone in building interactions between universities and communities, offering opportunities to develop new and effective cooperation models that meet modern demands and contribute to the sustainable development of society as a whole.
Source of Information – https://unicom.snau.edu.ua/
Video https://youtu.be/klcpCly1p7Q
Materials and presentation of speakers – https://unicom.community/en/materials-and-outputs-eng/
