Karazin University Delegation Participates in the NordYrk 2026 Conference as Part of the MOTIVET4UA Project

A delegation from V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University visited JAMK University of Applied Sciences in Jyväskylä, Finland, as part of the international project MOTIVET4UA – Promoting Multimodal Educational Practices and Teacher Competencies in Vocational Education and Training (VET): Ukraine–Finland Cooperation. The project is supported by the Team Finland Knowledge programme and aims to strengthen Ukrainian-Finnish cooperation in vocational education, teacher training, multimodal pedagogy, digital learning, and the implementation of innovative educational practices.

The Karazin University delegation included project team members Iryna Shteimiller, Head of the International Relations Office; Roman Nesterenko, Deputy Head of the International Relations Office; and Maryna Vasylieva, Deputy Director of the Education and Research Institute “Ukrainian Engineering Pedagogics Academy”.

During the visit, the Karazin University representatives took part in the international NordYrk 2026 Conference hosted by JAMK University of Applied Sciences. The conference brought together researchers, educators, representatives of educational institutions, and VET practitioners from Finland, Ukraine, other Nordic countries, and across the European Higher Education Area. Participants discussed contemporary approaches to practice-oriented and innovative learning, the development of vocational pedagogy, the digital transformation of education, teacher education, and emerging challenges facing vocational education systems.

An important part of the delegation’s participation was a series of working meetings and discussions with conference participants aimed at expanding international partnerships, strengthening academic cooperation, and preparing future joint educational and research projects. These meetings created new opportunities for Karazin University to engage in European initiatives in vocational education, engineering pedagogy, and digital education.

As part of the conference, the MOTIVET4UA project team presented the joint paper "Teachers and Catastrophes: How Can Learning Losses in Vocational Education and Training (VET) Be Addressed?" The paper was co-authored by Maryna Vasylieva and Iryna Shteimiller from V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University, Oksana Kovtun and Valentyna Krykun from Hryhorii Skovoroda University in Pereiaslav, Heini Ikäheimo from JAMK University of Applied Sciences, and Tetiana Krushynska and Maarit Virolainen from the University of Jyväskylä. Based on the findings of the MOTIVET4UA project, the presentation focused on addressing learning losses in vocational education caused by extraordinary circumstances, particularly Russia’s war against Ukraine. Special attention was given to the role of teachers in ensuring continuity of learning, supporting students during crises, and maintaining practical training under conditions of instability and disruption.

Participation in NordYrk 2026 marked an important milestone in the implementation of the MOTIVET4UA project and contributed to strengthening Karazin University’s partnerships with the University of Jyväskylä, JAMK University of Applied Sciences, and Hryhorii Skovoroda University in Pereiaslav.

For Karazin University, participation in the MOTIVET4UA project is particularly significant in advancing modern vocational and engineering pedagogy, supporting teachers and students during wartime, and integrating Ukraine’s experience in overcoming educational challenges into the European educational and research landscape.