Academic mobility programs play a significant role in the formation of a world educational space. The development of international cooperation allows participants in the educational process to constantly exchange experiences and information, deepen knowledge about national cultures, study and teach at foreign universities. We interviewed Nataliya Chukhray, Vice-Rector for Education and International Relations, about the main opportunities of international academic mobility programs.
– Please, tell us about the most successful academic mobility programs that operate at Polytechnic.
– Every year Lviv Polytechnic signs several dozen interinstitutional agreements ERASMUS+ KA1, which provide for several academic mobility programs for students or academics. In particular, in 2020 there were 50 new agreements. One of the most successful examples is the collaboration with Kingston University (London, UK) within the ERASMUS+ KA1 academic mobility program. Unfortunately, in 2023, the agreement will expire due to the withdrawal of Great Britain from the European Union. However, we are looking forward to continuing our cooperation through other programs funded by the UK Government, which include reciprocal visits by British and Ukrainian students and scholars. Another successful example of academic cooperation is the double degree program with the AGH University of Science and Technology in Kraków (Poland), under which more than 200 students of Lviv Polytechnic have studied at both universities and received their diplomas.
– How does Lviv Polytechnic develop the education of international students?
– Our University strengthens its position in the world rankings and is competitive, which affects the growth of interest of international students to enter Lviv Polytechnic. We are currently working to increase the number of international students who will enter Lviv Polytechnic. The most popular field among entrants is Computer Science, in particular, the competitive product of ICSIT is the educational programs of the Department of Artificial Intelligence Systems. Lviv Polytechnic is also developing cooperation with the universities of the People’s Republic of China, in particular, we are currently applying for a grant from the Ministry of Education of China to participate in their educational program «4 + 0». Provided that if we pass this competition, we will be able to recruit students in four specialties. This will be a double degree program for Chinese students.