On 21 May 2025, a panel discussion ‘International Projects of Chernihiv Polytechnic National University: Impact on the City, Region, Country’ was held at the Chernihiv Polytechnic National University. The event was timed to the 65th anniversary of the university and was held as part of Science Week 2025.

The discussion brought together coordinators of international projects, representatives of local communities, business, authorities, academia, and other stakeholders to discuss the real impact of Chernihiv Polytechnic National Univesity international project activities on the socio-economic development of the region.

In their speeches, the speakers focused on how the implemented initiatives contribute to strengthening the potential of communities, creating new educational, economic and social opportunities, developing digital skills, innovative entrepreneurship and environmental sustainability. The role of the partnership between the university and local communities as a basis for achieving positive changes in Chernihiv and the region was emphasised.

The results of the following projects were presented during the discussion:

• SMARTGYsum ‘Research and Education Network for Smart and Green Energy Systems and Business Models’ – Oleksandr Velihorskyi (https://smartgysum.eu/)
• WIN2EDIH ‘European Digital Innovation Hub’ – Anatolii Prystupa (https://win2edih.com.ua/)
• PROMENT ‘Promotion of professional education and active participation of students through the establishment of a comprehensive system of mentoring and tutoring in institutions’ – Remnova Liudmyla (https://www.proment.pro/uk/)
• DIGITRANS ‘Digital transformation of the educational process of institutions in Ukraine and Moldova for sustainable cooperation with enterprises’ – Volodymyr Kazymyr (https://digitrans.rtu.lv/)
• TURBO ‘Universities response to major obstacles: creating sustainable higher education to respond to and manage societal crises’ – Kateryna Maksom (https://site.nord.no/turbo/)
• SUSTED ‘Education for sustainable development: synergy of competences for the restoration of Ukraine’ – Olha Rudenko (https://salo.li/29E5C5f)
• HORIZON 2020 ‘Development of scientific and innovative ecosystem as a basis for sustainable transformation of the university’ – Nataliia Kholiavko (https://surli.cc/occkug)
• UNICITIES ‘Unlocking the transformative potential of Ukrainian universities to build climate-neutral and sustainable cities’ – Kazymyr Volodymyr and Deryi Zhanna (https://www.unicities.org.ua/)
• BRIDGE ‘Bridging the gap between university and industry: an innovative Master’s degree programme supporting the development of green jobs and digital skills in the Ukrainian construction sector’ – Iryna Prybytko (https://thebridgeproject.org.ua/)
• DEFEP ‘Distance education for the future: EU best practices in response to the needs of students and the labour market’ – Nataliia Ivanova (https://defep.chmnu.edu.ua/)
• AIFEU ‘Artificial intelligence in EU financial institutions’ – Nataliia Kholiavko (https://salo.li/05C9b2D)

We sincerely thank all the speakers for their informative presentations, practical examples and constructive vision of development through international cooperation! We wish the project teams successful implementation of the next stages of their initiatives, new ideas, and effective cooperation with partners at all levels.

Special thanks to the representatives of local communities, businesses and authorities who joined the event. Your participation proves the importance of mutual understanding and cooperation for the joint development of the region. The event has become an important platform for professional dialogue, strengthening partnerships and shaping a strategic vision for the future of Chernihiv region in the European context.