On May 22, the Lviv National University of Environmental Management hosted the International Scientific and Practical Conference “Modern Environmental Challenges. Strategies for Environmental Safety” dedicated to the 25th anniversary of the Department of Ecology.

Colleagues from the Institute of Animal Biology of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Lviv Polytechnic National University, Department of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Lviv Regional State Administration, Western Scientific Center of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine and the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, Institute of Carpathian Ecology of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Ivan Franko National University of Lviv, National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine, National Scientific Center “O. Sokolovskyi Institute of Soil Science and Agrochemistry”, as well as  colleagues from Kharkiv, Vinnytsia, Chernivtsi, Ivano-Frankivsk, the University of Natural Sciences in Poznan, the Askania Nova Biosphere Reserve named after F.E. Falz-Fein of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, the Yavoriv National Nature Park and the Kholodnyi Yar National Nature Park, and lecturers of the Department of Ecology of the Ukrainian National Forestry University took part in the conference.

During the conference, many topical issues were raised and the results of scientific research were shared. Scientists of the Department of Ecology of the Ukrainian National Forestry University took an active part in the discussion and reports, in particular: Associate Professor Victoria Oliferchuk, topic: “Management of mycorrhizal associations as a basis for sustainable development of ecosystems”; Associate Professor Ihor Kulchytskyi-Zhyhailo, topic: “Means of small-scale runoff regulation in the forests of the Ukrainian Carpathians”; Ihor Hnativ and Svitlana Melnychuk, topic: “Analysis of the impact of channel processes of the Stryi River channel on the increase of landslide hazard”; Maria Kopiy, topic: “Options for environmental restoration and rehabilitation of the population in the postwar period”; Associate Professor Mykola Cherniavskyi, topic: “Primeval forest natural monuments ‘Hlyhulska’ and ‘Malozvarashska’ and their conservation regime”; Senior Lecturer Oksana Oshurkevych-Pankivska and Associate Professor Yurii Pankivskyi, topic: “Evaluation of the effectiveness of the sanitary protection zone of Koker LLC”. The presentations were interesting and informative, aroused interest and good feedback from colleagues, and on occasion agreed on new joint promising areas of cooperation in the post-war reconstruction of Ukraine.

On May 22, 2024, the University held a regular competitive selection of students to study at the University of Valladolid (Spain) under the Erasmus+ program within the framework of the recently announced competition. The Erasmus+ academic mobility projects have been implemented by UNFU in partnership with the University of Valladolid for more than 5 years, which allows UNFU students to study for a semester at a Spanish university with the possibility of transferring their academic results.

As part of the competitive selection process, 10 students from the Institute of Ecological Economics and Management and the Institute of Computer Science and Information Technologies presented short reports in a foreign language on a topic related to their specialty. The competition committee evaluates the applicants according to the following criteria: academic performance, motivation and relevance of the mobility proposal.

International academic mobility programs are an opportunity for students to improve their foreign language skills, deepen their knowledge of their future profession, develop soft skills, and increase their competitiveness in the labor market. Five students who are currently studying at the University of Valladolid note that “despite all the difficulties and homesickness, mobility is worth it because you immerse yourself in a new culture and gain incredible life experience.” Similar opinions are expressed by students undergoing their exchange semester at the University of Sustainable Development in Eberswalde (Germany).

The development of international cooperation and the creation of opportunities for study and internships for students and teachers abroad is one of the priorities of the University's Internationalization Strategy 2026.

The university has already implemented more than 35 Erasmus+ projects, and in the next academic year will implement the projects won in the program's competition in 2023 with partners: Vienna University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Austria (2023-1-AT01-KA171-HED-000115357), University of Sustainable Development Eberswalde, Germany (2023-1-DE01-KA171-HED-000149162), University of Valladolid, Spain (2023-1-ES01-KA171-HED-000135436), Lodz University of Technology, Poland (2023-1-PL-KA171-HED-000146903), University of Transylvania Brasov, Romania (2023-1-RO01-KA171-HED-000138769), Technical University in Zvolen, Slovakia (2023-1-SK01-KA171-HED-000147039), Bartin University, Turkey (2023-1-TK01-KA171-HED-000167383), Kastamonu University, Turkey (2023-1-TK01-KA171-HED-000167459).

In addition, the university is currently implementing Erasmus+ cooperation projects in the field of higher education (direction KA2), in particular: “Discovering Sustainability Thinking - New Dimensions of Education for Sustainable Development with a Focus on Intercultural Values and Ethics” (SysMind), “Transformational Learning Network for Sustainable Development - Promoting the Contribution of Ukrainian Higher Education Institutions to Sustainable and Strong Reconstruction of (Post-War) Ukraine” (TransLearnN), “Manager for the Transition to a Circular Economy: Leading Furniture Industry Companies to Implement a Strategy for the Transition to a Circular Economy” (CirCLER), ‘Awareness through Science Education for Ecosystem, Society and Governance’ (EcoSocMan), which will result in the development of new disciplines in English.

More about international academic mobility at the university by the link.