International scientific and practical conference (online) ‘Improving the Quality of European Studies through Cooperation with Higher Education Institutions of Neighboring EU Member States’ took place on February 22, 2022.

The conference was held as part of the scientific project of UzhNU under the Erasmus + Program ‘Jean Monnet Transcarpathian Center for Studying European Development Strategies at Uzhhorod National University’. The conference is included in the List of scientific conferences, formed by the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine in 2022.

Vasile Goldiş Western University of Arad (Romania) and Satu Mare County Museum (Romania) were Co-organizers of the conference.

Rector of Uzhhorod National University Prof. Volodymyr Smolanka, Rector of  ‘Vasile Goldis’ Western University of Arad, Prof. Coralia Adina Cotoraci, Director of Satu Mare County Museum Liviu Marta, Scientist Emeritus of the Institute of Social Sciences of Centre of Social and Psychological Sciences SAS PaedDr. Marian Gajdos, CSc., Director of the Educational and Research Institute of European Integration Studies, Project Manager Assoc. Prof. Ivan Artyomov, Head of the Department of International Relations Assoc. Prof. Oksana Sviezhentseva, Director of the JMTC, Assoc. Prof. Petro Tokar took part in the opening of the conference.

‘Developing cooperation with our international partners is the priority of UzhNU. Despite all the quarantine restrictions and the situation we find ourselves in, we still meet and discuss current issues, albeit online. Uzhhorod National University as an integrator of intellectual, educational, scientific and cultural environment in the region, is oriented on innovative development and entry into the European educational space. We actively cooperate with more than a hundred foreign partners. Areas which still remain prioritized by us are the implementation of joint international projects and programs, bilateral partnerships, the participation of scientific and pedagogical staff in international conferences, forums, symposiums, the ensuring of the quality of internationalizing education, the encouragement of students to take part in international programs, projects, scientific activities. As the conference program highlights, today the honorable partners and colleagues will be talking about our common achievements. In my point of view, though, our present meeting is also aimed at planning the next steps of cooperation and new project ideas as well as achievements of our students and scientists’ said in his welcoming speech Prof. Volodymyr Smolanka.

‘Building strong international cooperation for universities is very important. Supporting the international relations between Romania and Ukraine is important, especially today. The most important thing is that we managed to achieve high scientific results and deepen the friendship and long-standing relations between Ukrainian and Romanian universities’ stressed in her welcoming speech rector of the ‘Vasile Goldis’ Western University of Arad, Doctor Honoris Causa of Uzhhorod National University. Prof. Coralia Adina Cotoraci.

Liviu Marta, Director of Satu Mare County Museum (Romania), expressed confidence that the conference would be the start of new projects, expanding research and collaboration.

Dr. Marian Gajdos, CSc., Scientist Emeritus of the Institute of Social Sciences of Centre of Social and Psychological Sciences SAS stressed that it was thanks to the academic community of Uzhhorod national university that it was possible to establish cooperation with many famous Ukrainian scientists.

Reports at the conference were made by: Myroslava LENDEL, Vice-Rector of Uzhhorod National University (‘Cross-Border Cooperation in the Carpathian Region in the Field of Energy Innovation and Education’), Stepan Vidnyanskyi, Corresponding Member of National Academy of Science (NAS) of Ukraine, Honorary Doctor of Uzhhorod National University (‘The Role of Historical Science in the Ukrainians European Identity Formation (on the example of UzhNU)’,  Olimpia Neagu, ‘Vasile Goldiș’ Western University of Arad (‘Partnership for Genomic Research in Ukraine and Romania’), Liuba Irina HORVAT, Paula VIRAG, Researchers of Satu Mare County Museum (‘The Role of European Projects in the Development of Scientific and Cultural Cooperation between Romania and Ukraine. Case Study: Satu Mare County Museum’), Professor Zhanar Medeubayeva, PhD, L. Gumilyov Eurasian National University (‘The Influence of European Studies on the Process of Democratization of Higher Education in Kazakhstan within the Framework of International Projects and on the Development of ENU’s Cooperation with UzhNU’), Ing. Anna Kalistová, Head of the Institute of Social Sciences CSPS SAS (‘Sustainable Cities and their Importance in Cross-Border Cooperation’).

All researchers of JMTC prepared reports. The results of the research were shared by: Dean of the Faculty of History and International Relations Ivan Vovkanych, Head of the Department of International Relations Oksana Sviezhentseva, Head of the Department of International Relations and Public Communications Vitaliy Andreyko, and Professor of the same Department Ihor Todorov, Director of JMTC Petro Tokar. The conference participants announced 23 reports in Ukrainian, English and Romanian.

The collection of scientific works ‘International Scientific Herald’ will be published following the conference. The collection is presented in scientometric databases, repositories and search engines of the world, as well as on the platform ‘Scientific Periodicals of Ukraine’.