Vasyl Stefanyk Carpathian National University continues to develop international relations and expand cooperation with European partners. Within this direction, the Vice-Rector for Scientific and Pedagogical Work of the KNUVS Vitaliy Shkromyda and the Head of the Stakeholder Relations Department Arsen Kyzym met with representatives of Belgian state and public institutions and the European community.
The meeting was attended by Bertrand Waucquez , Mayor of the Municipality of Kraainem, Belgium; Olivier Willocx , Belgian politician and economist, Member of Parliament for the Brussels Capital Region; Alexandra Sukhodolska , Political Assistant to the European Commission; Youri De Brabander , Attaché of the Federal Public Service of Finance of Belgium (SPF Finances / FOD Financiën), as well as Alina de Monie Kokhanko, co-founder of Get Ready for Europe, founder of the Ukrainian Voice – Refugee Committee in Brussels, and senior coordinator of the UA SPOC team in Brussels.
During the meeting, the parties discussed the prospects for the development of educational and international cooperation, strengthening interaction between the university community, European institutions and civil society, as well as the possibilities of creating new educational and professional prospects for Ukrainian youth.
An important result of the meeting was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Vasyl Stefanyk Carpathian National University and the Get Ready for Europe (GR4EU) public organization .
The document, designed for 2026–2029 , defines the main areas of cooperation in the field of education, professional development, academic exchange, scientific activity, and civic engagement.
One of the key areas of the partnership will be the development of academic exchanges and the implementation of joint educational and scientific projects . The parties plan to facilitate conferences, seminars, trainings, educational events and other initiatives dedicated to European policies, democratic values, governance, economic development and European integration processes.
A separate direction is professional development and improvement of the competencies of students, teachers and specialists. It is planned to implement trainings, practical seminars, mentoring programs, as well as create opportunities for internships, academic mobility and participation in international projects.
An important component of the cooperation will be the creation and development of GR4EU Educational Hubs . They should become open platforms for learning, professional development, networking and interaction with local communities. In particular, it is planned to provide access to English language courses, educational programs and initiatives aimed at deepening knowledge about the European Union, its institutions, values, citizens’ rights and opportunities.
Additional educational opportunities will be opened by the GR4EU Digital Platform and the GR4EU Digital Library , thanks to which participants will be able to join webinars, lectures, interactive learning events and discussion forums.
“European integration begins, first of all, with people – their knowledge, competencies, readiness for change, and active participation in public life. That is why the partnership with Get Ready for Europe opens up new prospects for the development of international educational cooperation and the creation of additional opportunities for our university community,” the Vasyl Stefanyk Carpathian National University notes.
The implementation of the Memorandum will contribute to the expansion of the university’s international partnerships, the involvement of students and teachers in European educational and professional initiatives, the exchange of experience with partners from EU countries, and the formation of new academic and professional opportunities .
The signing of the Memorandum with Get Ready for Europe is another step by Vasyl Stefanyk Carpathian National University in the development of the European vector, international cooperation, and integration of Ukrainian education into the European educational and scientific space .
