Implementation of the International Project MOTIVET4UA: Results of the International School of Pedagogical Excellence

The implementation of the international project MOTIVET4UA — “Fostering Multimodal Educational Practices and Teacher Competencies in Vocational Education and Training (VET): Cooperation between Ukraine and Finland” is ongoing at V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University, based at the Education and Research Institute “Ukrainian Engineering Pedagogics Academy.”

The project brings together leading Ukrainian and Finnish higher education institutions, including the University of Jyväskylä, JAMK University of Applied Sciences, V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University, and Hryhorii Skovoroda University in Pereiaslav. Its goal is to develop modern educational practices, multimodal pedagogy, digital learning, and to improve the quality of teacher training in Ukraine.

The project is supported by the Finnish National Agency for Education (EDUFI) within the Team Finland Knowledge (TFK) program, aimed at strengthening international educational cooperation and partnerships between Ukraine and Finland.

An important milestone of the project was the International School of Pedagogical Excellence titled “Research Insights in Vocational Pedagogical Education,” which took place online from October 21 to December 20, 2025.

The school brought together teachers from higher, pre-tertiary professional, and vocational education institutions, as well as students and representatives of educational and public organizations.

The program covered key challenges and trends in modern education, including:

• overcoming learning losses in times of crisis;
• development of the competence-based approach;
• formation of learning ecosystems;
• implementation of sustainable development principles;
• effective online learning practices;
• the role of narratives in the modern educational environment.

The sessions were delivered by leading Ukrainian and international experts, including:

• Oksana Kovtun (Hryhorii Skovoroda University in Pereiaslav);
• Maryna Vasylieva (Education and Research Institute “UEPA,” V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University);
• as well as scholars from the University of Jyväskylä (Finland): Maarit Virolainen, Anna Lehtonen, Päivi Häkkinen, Eeva Kallio, and Hannu L. T. Heikkinen.

This ensured a high level of academic quality and strong international expertise within the program.

In total, about 300 participants successfully completed the school and received professional development certificates equivalent to 90 hours (3 ECTS credits).

The implementation of the MOTIVET4UA project is taking place under significant challenges faced by Ukraine’s education system due to the war. It aims to support educators, develop distance and blended learning, and adapt educational programs to current conditions.

The International School of Pedagogical Excellence has become an important step in strengthening international cooperation, implementing innovative educational approaches, and improving the quality of vocational pedagogical education in Ukraine.