Cooperation between UNFU and the University of Sustainable Development of Eberswalde (Germany) under the Erasmus+ program has been going on for more than 8 years. During this period, it was possible to jointly implement more than 100 student and teacher mobilities for the purpose of study and internship, including the admission of German students for internship at the Ukrainian National Forestry University. Increasing the number of students and scientific and pedagogical workers participating in academic mobility programs is a key priority of the "Strategy of Internationalization of the Ukrainian National Forestry University for the period until 2026".

Two students, Sofia Bublei, a student of LG-31, and Sofia Skrypets, a student of MO-61m, are currently studying at the University of Sustainable Development in Eberswalde under the Erasmus+ program. Feedback from Sofia Bublei regarding the peculiarities of studying in Germany is in this material.

Sofia, tell us about your studies at UNFU. What are your impressions of studying forestry?

Sofia: "Now I am studying in the 3rd year of my bachelor's degree, majoring in "forestry" at UNFU. In 2019, she graduated from the Zaporizhia Lyceum EIT; after that, she entered the Zaporizhia College EIT, majoring in "Tourism," and graduated with honors in 2022. In 2021, she entered the Zaporizhia National University majoring in forestry, but in 2022, she transferred to the Ukrainian National Forestry University for the same major in connection with military operations in my city. At the same time, I always had a desire to study at a highly specialized university. The impressions of studying at UNFU during this period are only good. This university is inspiring! A very professional teaching staff that is always ready to support the student and continues to work during such a difficult time in the country. I have never once regretted that I studied at UNFU."

How did you get the Erasmus+ scholarship? What is the size of the scholarship, and where do you live?

Sofia: "I learned about this project from the official Instagram page of the Department of International Relations at UNFU. On the same day, my academic supervisor (I.I. Delegan) informed me about the possibility of studying abroad. Together with him, we decided to submit documents for participation in the competition. The first stage of the selection was an interview with the Selection Commission. A week later, the results were announced, and I was nominated to study at the University of Sustainable Development in Eberswalde. Later, a study agreement was reached, and now I am studying for a semester on exchange, majoring in International Forest Ecosystem Management. The amount of the scholarship per month is 1,050 euros (including the cost of accommodation and travel, student insurance, and student tickets). I live in a student dormitory."

What are your impressions of the host university?

Sofia: "Eberswalde University has a very family atmosphere. For help and easy adaptation by international students, there are buddy friends. International students were provided with all the necessary documents regarding the organization of their studies, and meetings were held with representatives of the international department, faculty, and specialty. Many measures are being taken to integrate new students into the university environment."

What subjects are you studying in the current semester?

Sofia: "I have the following disciplines this semester: Environmental Policy and Economics, Adaptive Ecosystem Management, Forest Ecology and Mensuration, Academic Writing and Presenting, German, Applied Silviculture, Ecosystem Development and Restoration."

What are the main differences between studying in Germany and Ukraine?

Sofia: "There are many differences. These are two different education systems. The main feature of studying in Germany is that the student is as independent as possible in choosing to attend classes; most of the study is devoted to independent work. There is a maximum focus on the student."

Did you manage to make friends? Do you have time for rest and travel?

Sofia: "It's quite easy to make friends in Germany by attending events for students. I have time to rest on weekends, but I'm not traveling yet."

On October 25, at the initiative of Ulyana Novak, assistant professor of the Department of Accounting and Audit of the Ukrainian National Forestry University, and with the support of the staff of this department, an exclusive meeting of students with Igor Dulyny, a successful businessman, co-organizer of charity projects, youth entrepreneurship coach, and eco-ambassador, was held at the National Forestry University of Ukraine. The event was opened by the director of the Educational and Scientific Institute of Environmental Economics and Management, associate professor Mykola Matveev.

Ihor Dulyn is a graduate of the National Technical University of Ukraine and in particular the Department of Accounting and Auditing, a candidate of economic sciences, an associate professor, the head of the public organization "Dobro.Diy" the co-founder of the West Ukrainian Business School, and the chain of bakeries "Vash Lavash" the co-organizer of currently known projects "1000 cars" and "Birds of Victory", and the ecoambassador of "Greening of the Planet".

On October 17, 2023, students of specialty 187 "Woodworking and Furniture Technologies" at the Ukrainian National Forestry University had a unique opportunity to visit the "Blum" enterprise.

The company "Blum" is a real leader in the world of furniture accessory production. The "Blum Inspirations" brand is, first of all, innovations in products, constant development, and the creation of innovative ideas for solving various tasks posed by society.
The excursion was organized by the academic staff of the Department of Furniture and Wood Products Technology at UNFU, resembled the educational process in form, and consisted of several parts.

At the invitation of the rector of the Ukrainian National Forestry University, member-cor. of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Professor Volodymyr Zahorskyi, and with the assistance of the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine, adviser on international issues to the Deputy Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, Olena Kondratyuk, candidate of legal sciences, and ex-ambassador to Australia, Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Latvia, Oleksandr Mishchenko, representatives of friendly Latvia visited the university on a working visit.

The delegation included: Dean of the Faculty of Forestry and Nature Management of the Latvian University of Biosciences and Technologies Linards Sisenis; Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the company "Latvijas Finieris" Uldis Bikis; Head of the Development Department of the Joint Stock Company "State Forests of Latvia" Janis Gertsans; and Chairman of the Forest Certification Council of Latvia Maris Liopa.

On October 21–22, 2023, the "IXth Congress of the Union of Ukrainians of Romania" took place, where the head of the Department of Environmental Economics and Business, Professor Ion Dubovych represented the Ukrainian National Forestry University.

The Congress brought together more than 400 representatives from Romania, Ukraine, Belgium, the Republic of Moldova, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and other countries, as it is important not only for Ukrainians in Romania but also for other countries.

The "IX Congress of the Union of Ukrainians of Romania" became a communication platform for defining, first of all, strategic goals for the short, medium, and long term, as well as for discussing the activities of the Union of Ukrainians of Romania for the period from October 27, 2019 to today.

In his speech, Professor Ion Dubovych sincerely thanked the head of the SUR, deputy Mykola Myroslav Petrecki, and all citizens of Romania who provided assistance to Ukraine during the Russian-Ukrainian war. He noted that the head of the SUR, MP Mykola Myroslav Petretskyi, is making every effort to support Ukraine on the way to European and Euro-Atlantic integration. Professor Ion Dubovych also drew attention to the fact that today Ukraine protects not only Ukrainians but also all other nations. That is why Romania should be interested in supporting Ukraine in all spheres: military and defense, economic, political, scientific, and educational.

On October 31, a lecture and practical classes were held at the department of TFWP, which were conducted by representatives of the company "Häfele Ukraine" with students of specialty 187 "Woodworking and furniture technologies" within the discipline "Technology of Furniture Products." The company's representatives responded to the invitation of Professor Orest Kiik and held productive and interesting classes to introduce technology students to modern furniture accessories.

After the introductory speech of the lecturer, Prof. Orest Kiyko, the head of the sales department of Häfele Ukraine company Maksym Chayka, continued the conversation. As a true manager and specialist in his field, Mr. Maksym began his speech according to the classic canons of conducting a presentation, with a question to the audience: "How much do you know about the Häfele company?" Indeed, this global "giant" in the field of the furniture industry is well known throughout the world, so this question was posed to the audience absolutely appropriately and aptly.

On the Day of Archangel Michael, who is considered the patron saint of warriors and knights, the Rector of the Ukrainian National Forestry University and Corresponding Member of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Professor Volodymyr Zahorskyi, met with representatives of the Armed Forces of Ukraine: the Deputy Commander of the 24th Separate Mechanized Brigade named after King Danylo for moral and psychological support, Lt. Col. Andriy Bazyuk, and the senior officer of the civil-military cooperation group, Lt. Taras Fit', to hand over a drone and two sets of tactical headphones for the "Royal Infantry" to the Ukrainian military as a sign of respect and support.

Funds for the valuable gift were collected at the annual tree planting together with the NGO "Dobro.Diy", whose head is Ihor Dulyn, and at the initiative of the head of the trade union committee of students and post-graduate students of UNFU, Bohdan Kysil'.

The rector and the team of the Ukrainian National Forestry University received two thanks: for the contribution to the landscaping of Lviv and the assistance of the Armed Forces within the framework of the project "BIRDS OF VICTORY" from the NGO "Dobro.diy" and for a significant contribution to raising the fighting spirit of the soldiers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the performance of combat tasks from the 24th Separate Mechanized Brigade named after King Danylo.

Good deeds and recently planted trees will be fruitful!

Together, to victory!

31 жовтня на кафедрі ТМВД відбулися лекція та практичні заняття, які провели представники компанії “Häfele Ukraine” зі студентами спеціальності 187 “Деревообробні та меблеві технології” в рамках дисципліни “Технологія меблевих виробів”. Представники компанії відгукнулись на запрошення професора Ореста Кійка та провели продуктивні і цікаві заняття щодо знайомства студентів-технологів із сучасною меблевою фурнітурою.

Після вступного слова лектора проф. Ореста Кійка, розмову продовжив керівник відділу продажів компанії “Häfele Ukraine” Максим Чайка. Як справжній менеджер і фахівець своєї справи, свій виступ пан Максим розпочав за класичними канонами проведення презентації – із питання до аудиторії: “Як багато ви знаєте про компанію Häfele”. Адже, й справді, цей світовий “гігант” в галузі меблевої індустрії добре відомий в цілому світі, що дане питання до аудиторії було поставлене абсолютно доречно та влучно.

21-22 жовтня 2023 року відбувся “ІХ Конгрес Союзу українців Румунії”, на якому Національний лісотехнічний університет України представив завідувач кафедри екологічної економіки та бізнесу, професор Іон Дубовіч.

Конгрес об’єднав понад 400 представників з Румунії, України, Бельгії, Республіки Молдова, Словаччини, Чеської Республіки та інших країн, оскільки має важливе значення не тільки для українців Румунії, а й для інших держав.

“ІХ Конгрес Союзу українців Румунії” став майданчиком комунікації для визначення, насамперед, стратегічних цілей на коротко-, середньо- та довгостроковий період, а також для обговорення діяльності Союзу українців Румунії (СУР) за період з 27 жовтня 2019 року до сьогодні.

На запрошення ректора Національного лісотехнічного університету України, чл.-кор. НАН України, професора Володимира Загорського та за сприяння Надзвичайного і Повноважного посла України, радника з міжнародних питань заступниці Голови Верховної Ради України Олени Кондратюк, кандидата юридичних наук, екс-посла в Австралії, Туреччині, Азербайджанській та Латвійській республіках Олександра Міщенка з робочим візитом відвідали Університет представники дружньої Латвії.

У складі делегації були: декан факультету лісознавства та природокористування Латвійського університету біонаук та технологій Лінардс Сісеніс, голова наглядової ради компанії “Latvijas Finieris” Ульдіс Бікіс, керівник відділу розвитку Акціонерного товариства “Державні ліси Латвії” Яніс Ґерцанс, голова ради лісової сертифікації Латвії  Маріс Ліопа.