INTERNATIONAL INTERNSHIP FOR THE FACULTY STAFF OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HYDROBIOLOGY AND ICHTHYOLOGY WITHIN THE PROJECT «CAPACITY BUILDING OF UKRAINIAN RESEARCHERS FOR SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOODS: SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT»
INTERNATIONAL INTERNSHIP FOR THE FACULTY STAFF OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HYDROBIOLOGY AND ICHTHYOLOGY WITHIN THE PROJECT «CAPACITY BUILDING OF UKRAINIAN RESEARCHERS FOR SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOODS: SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT»
The establishment of a democratic, legal, and social state, and the implementation of political, educational, and other reforms require that such factors as competence, professionalism, intelligence, and creativity play a leading role in the activities of participants in all spheres of life in our state.
The constant evolutionary process in the educational space, changes in the forms, methods, and functions of the teacher's activity, and the implementation of state and industry programs in practice require the restructuring of the higher education system in the context of the requirements and opportunities of the 21st century.
The effectiveness of the formation of a new generation of specialists depends on the professional qualifications of teachers. A modern higher education teacher should direct his activities to form scientific thinking, to develop the internal personal need for continuous self-development, and self-education throughout the whole life.
Among the main ways of improving the professional skills of teachers of a higher education institution is an international internship, because its content, program, and tasks are multi-vector in nature.
Faculty staff of the Department of Hydrobiology and Ichthyology - Associate Professor Nataliya Rudyk-Leuska and Senior Lecturer Alina Makarenko took part in the international seminar on professional development as part of the Twinning Project, a cooperation project of the National University of Bioresources and Nature Management of Ukraine and the University of Reading. The goal of the project was to develop the scientific capabilities of researchers to implement the results of project activities in Ukraine and the United Kingdom.
The first week-long international seminar was attended by Natalia Rudyk-Leuska. The event was moderated by University of Reading professors Sarah Cardey and Emma Beschizza. They presented the history of the University of Reading and its international partnership with other countries of the world. The types of partnership offered to our University are presented: double diplomas for masters (4+1 and Double Masters); organization of undergraduate education (1+2/2+2/3+1); franchise/validation and postgraduate research partnerships (dual/joint PhDs).
The second week-long seminar was attended by Alina Makarenko. This event was moderated by Sarah Cardey from the University of Reading and Alla Kravchenko from NULES of Ukraine.
The seminar was dedicated to the participants' introduction and the Twinning project. Sarah Cardey and Simon Mortimer introduced the University of Reading and the Twinning Project. The organizers focused on the fact that more than 10% of specialties in the educational institution are aimed at the development of agriculture in their region, and studies at the University of Reading are based on a multidisciplinary approach. In turn, the participants from NULES of Ukraine presented the faculties, and talked about themselves and the scientific directions of their research.
Scientists from NULES of Ukraine were divided into focus groups to expand interfaculty cooperation and interdisciplinary connections in solving important scientific problems.
The issues of finding partners and obtaining financing for projects were considered at the international seminar on professional development, It was quite interesting to get acquainted with the criteria for applying for grants at the University of Reading. The projects proposed by the groups of seminar participants were discussed.
Various problems, as well as challenges and opportunities in writing international publications, were considered. Determining the specific steps of their writing, planning, and identifying opportunities for publications was not a little important.
On the final day of the international seminar, Natalia Rudyk-Leuska and other participants considered the advantages and disadvantages of multidisciplinary teams. The meeting was organized with the representative of the EIT Food company, Dr. Olga Pelekh. EIT Food is the largest European initiative to support innovation in the field of food technology, created as a consortium of key business players in the food industry, start-ups, research centres, and universities from all over Europe.
The last day of the international seminar for Alina Makarenko began with the topic of attracting funds for scientific research and projects, obtaining grants, discussing concepts, and problems, summarizing the work, and developing further steps of cooperation between the University of Reading and NULES within the framework of the Twinning project and exchanging impressions from cooperation with the University of Reading.
An international internship is a useful and valuable experience that allows getting to know other researchers and universities. Such experience is multifaceted because it allows us to realize that the glorious NULES of Ukraine is a worthy representative for partnership at the international level. The knowledge gained during the seminar will be used during lectures, laboratory-practical classes, and scientific work. We will continue our work on encouraging students of the Faculty of Livestock Raising and Water Bioresources to carry out scientific activities, as well as communication with students of the University of Reading.
We are sincerely grateful for the disclosure of important topics, scientific and practical experience, rich presentations by various specialists, active discussions, vivid work, and friendly communication.
Thanks to the Armed Forces of Ukraine for this morning. For the inspiration to work for Victory. For the faith that you add to us with your successes. For the opportunity to just be. Glory to the heroes. Glory to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Associate Professor of the Department
of Hydrobiology and Ichthyology
Ganna KOTOVSKA
