The event was visited online by students and the representatives of the student self-government bodies of higher education institutions from Ukraine and from the United Kingdom, including University of St. Andrews, National University Chernihiv Polytechnic, Kyiv National University of Construction and Architecture, Vasyl Stefanyk Precarpathian National University, Ukrainian Medical Stomatological Academy, Poltava Oil and Gas College, M. V. Hohol Myrhorod Art and Industry College and the Students Council of Poltava.
The priorities in the discussion included the peculiarities of organizing the student self-government and the youth organizations in terms of the pandemic, the challenges and new opportunities that appeared for the students’ society, the organization of an effective cooperation among students during the lockdown limitations, as well as exchanging experience with the student self-government bodies of partner universities.
The event was moderated by Deputy President of the Student Parliament of National University “Yuri Kondratyuk Poltava Polytechnic” for International Cooperation Nelia Bechkalo.
The meeting was held in Ukrainian and English.
The participants were greeted by PhD in Economics, Associate Professor, Vice Rector for Scientific and International Affairs of National University “Yuri Kondratyuk Poltava Polytechnic” Svitlana Sivitska, who also greeted the participants on behalf of the administration and the academic staff of the university and its Rector, Volodymyr Onyshchenko personally.
“I would like to emphasize that the topic of the round table is very relevant, as the problems and challenges that education and science faced during the pandemic require effective solutions. It is incredibly pleasant that the student self-government of our university initiated the round table for discussing the experience of the leading Ukrainian and European higher education institutions in organizing the work of student self-government bodies. Really, the new circumstances of today are another motivation for implementing new projects, creative ideas, real changes. It's extremely important to hear, discuss and borrow the experience of our colleagues for the best development of the student self-government and for coordinated organization of educational process at higher education institutions. May you have a fruitful discussion, interesting presentations and productive meeting!” Svitlana Sivitska commented.
Alex Purcell, student of one of the oldest Scottish universities, University of St. Andrews, who has an international educative role at university, shared the experience of his institution in organizing the educational and scientific activity during the pandemic.
President of the Student Parliament of National University “Yuri Kondratyuk Poltava Polytechnic” Oleksandr Lytvynenko talked about a kind of students’ innovation, ‘the success calculator’ and the system of awarding additional points during the pandemic, “The Student Parliament of National University “Yuri Kondratyuk Poltava Polytechnic” represents the students’ interests, takes part in the administration of the higher education institution, in solving the problems of organizing the education process, the research activities, scholarships awarding, leisure activities, recreation and various social issues. The lockdown became a positive motivation for inviting new communication forms; for example, the student self-government held a range of online challenges and flash mobs, encouraging students to do sports and participate in scientific activities.
“We launched a so-called ‘success calculator’ to ensure fair rating calculations and to award scholarships according to the student’s achievements in academic activities and university life. This allows to award additional points to the most active students. The possibility to submit documents online allowed to shorten the amount of papers used, which is good for the ecology, and to continue this practice during the lockdown,” Oleksandr Lytvynenko emphasized.
The role of student self-government as a central body in quality changes of students’ life, the control of work efficiency in terms of distanced learning and the role of activities in forming the personality of each student were analyzed by the heads of students councils of separate subdivisions of National University “Yuri Kondratyuk Poltava Polytechnic” – Poltava Oil and Gas College (Viktoriia Bova) and M. V. Hohol Myrhorod Art and Industry College (Dariia Zikranets).
“Such events unite and inspire, especially when we exchanges experience and see the best achievements of our colleagues. We are planning further productive communication and will look for new ways to stay connected,” Moderator of the event, graduate student of Faculty of Humanities of National University “Yuri Kondratyuk Poltava Polytechnic” Nelia Bechkalo summarized.
Events about the peculiarities of student self-government functioning during the lockdown in Ukraine and Europe are incredibly important for ensuring the innovative Europe-oriented development of our university and our country.
This year the International Students’ Day was celebrated unusually. Rector recorded a congratulations video and wished that the students celebrate the day in an interesting but safe way. The Student Culture and Creative Activity Center of Poltava Polytechnic has organized an online performance.
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