In an era of rapid technological advancement, knowledge evolves faster than university curricula. As a result, higher education institutions are seeking new approaches not only to deliver the latest information to students, but also to foster flexibility, independence, and resilience – skills essential for living and working in challenging conditions. It is at the intersection of these challenges that the international PROMENT project emerged, uniting four Ukrainian and two Georgian universities within the Erasmus+ program, implemented with the support of the European Union and coordinated by Lviv Polytechnic National University. The project’s concept is both simple and profound: to help students adapt more effectively to the university environment, develop self-management skills, gain additional qualifications, and enhance their employability through the creation of a comprehensive university-wide system of tutoring and mentoring.
The PROMENT project does not just offer trainings or short-term programs, but rather a holistic model for developing and engaging university students in active social, academic, and professional life. Each first-year student has the opportunity to be paired with a tutor – a senior-year peer who helps them navigate the new environment, build confidence, and learn how to make the most of their potential. Alongside tutors, mentors – experienced professionals and representatives from business and public organizations – support students in their professional growth, guide them in defining career goals, help them overcome the fear of failure, and demonstrate how academic theory is applied in real-world contexts. Together, this creates a unique environment of trust, cooperation, and open dialogue between generations.
The project is being implemented in Ukraine and Georgia, bringing together Lviv Polytechnic National University, the National Technical University «Dnipro Polytechnic», the Petro Mohyla Black Sea National University, the National University «Chernihiv Polytechnic», as well as Shota Rustaveli State University and the Georgian Technical University. The European Union partners include the Silesian University of Technology (Poland), the University of Perugia (Italy), the University of Aveiro (Portugal), and the Vienna University of Technology (Austria). The collaborative work of these institutions creates a unique learning environment for all participants – students, educators, coordinators, and partners from diverse fields. This cooperation not only fosters the professional growth of young people, but also strengthens inter-university connections and cultivates a culture of mutual support and openness that extends far beyond the classroom.
