Strengthening international academic ties, National University “Yuri Kondratyuk Poltava Polytechnic” continues its fruitful cooperation with its Dutch partner, Avans University of Applied Sciences. On December 17, 2025, as part of this cooperation, a joint lecture was delivered to international students. The Ukrainian university was dignifiedly represented by members of the Department of Management and Logistics: Associate Professor, PhD Alina Kudinova, and second-year “Management” student Mariia Strochko.
The presentation covered a broad spectrum of topical issues, from the transformation of the business landscape and the remarkable adaptability of Ukrainian entrepreneurs to a deep analysis of market statistics, including gender dimensions and emerging priorities. A special emphasis was placed on support for veterans – the speakers detailed the topic of reintegrating defenders through entrepreneurship, citing examples of effective international programs and inspiring cases of already implemented projects.
The story about the realities of student life amidst a full-scale war evoked a particularly emotional response from the audience. Student Mariia Strochko became the voice of Ukrainian youth, demonstrating the resilience of Poltava Polytechnic through her own example. She spoke about the powerful volunteer movement and community unity: the university regularly hosts charity concerts and events, with all proceeds directed toward supporting the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Mariia also presented the university’s unique support ecosystem to her international colleagues. The synergy among the Volunteer Centre, the Centre for Culture and Student Creativity, the Veteran Development Centre, the innovative “Mr Leader” project, and Ukraine’s first Gender Centre enables the university to meet the needs of all participants in the educational process. Special attention was paid to mental health: a Laboratory of Psychodiagnostics and Correctional Work operates for students and veterans, equipped with advanced tools for music, light, and sand therapy, as well as comfortable recliner chairs for psychological relief.
Safety remains the foundation of education. The speaker emphasised that the educational process is governed by a specific Development Strategy under martial law. The class schedule is adapted to the capacity of 8 certified shelters, accommodating 5,081 people, and clear evacuation routes have been developed for all buildings. The university’s premises are under 24/7 video surveillance and security with access control, and buildings are equipped with modern notification systems. Even during blackouts, life at the Polytechnic does not stop thanks to the “Point of Invincibility”, equipped with generators, Starlink, and heating. This comprehensive approach – from psychological support to physical protection – allows Ukrainian students to hold their ground with dignity.
At the end of the lecture, students from the 073 “Management” speciality, Anna Ivashchenko, Valeriia Dovhal, Maryna Herasymenko, and Dmytro Yakymov joined the Q&A session and shared their experiences as students.
Despite the trials of wartime, we continue to steadfastly maintain our educational front, demonstrating Ukrainian resilience and a commitment to development to the world. Such meetings prove that distance is no obstacle to true partnership and shared values. We are sincerely grateful to our colleagues and students from Avans University for their solidarity, active dialogue, and support of Ukraine during this difficult time.
Together to victory!
In 2023, two students of Poltava Polytechnic – Yelyzaveta Kalashnyk and Anna Bulavenko – participated in the Erasmus+ credit mobility program at Avans University of Applied Sciences.
Recently, students of Poltava Polytechnic participated in youth exchanges and training under the Erasmus+ program in Poland, Georgia, and Malta. International relations students from Poltava Polytechnic became prize winners of an innovative Erasmus+ hackathon in Latvia and received a grant for project development. Furthermore, Poltava Polytechnic lecturers studied innovative digital tools and artificial intelligence in STEM education in Estonia. At the same time, future civil engineers shared their impressions of studying under the Erasmus+ credit academic mobility program at the Slovak University of Technology.
As a reminder, faculty members of Poltava Polytechnic are eligible to participate in academic mobility and internship programs. Students can study abroad through Erasmus+ credit academic mobility grant programs for a semester or a full academic year at leading universities in Austria, Greenland, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, and the Czech Republic.
For more detailed information on current internship, teaching, and academic mobility programs abroad, please get in touch with the International Relations Office (office 213-C, interoffice@nupp.edu.ua) or the coordinator of international activities at the National University “Yuri Kondratyuk Poltava Polytechnic” – Anna Pavelieva, Ph.D. in Philology, Associate Professor of the Department of Germanic Philology and Translation (email: kunsite.zi@gmail.com, phone: +38-(095)-91-08-192).
