Sumy National Agrarian University continues to strengthen its position as one of the most active participants in international educational initiatives. In 2025, SNAU became a partner in three new Erasmus+ projects in the CBHE (Capacity Building in Higher Education) area, which aim to deeply transform higher education in Ukraine and partner countries.
The first of them – HELIUM (Helix for Education Leadership and Universal Modernization) – is coordinated by UC Limburg (Belgium) and covers universities from Ukraine and Egypt. This 24-month project aims to modernize management, internationalization, digital transformation, inclusion, and graduate employability. The main idea of the project is to create a “triple helix” of interaction between universities, industry, and civil society, which will ensure institutional development through the introduction of digital solutions, equity of access policies, and close links with the labor market. Particular attention is paid to supporting academic and administrative staff, women, students, migrants, and representatives of vulnerable groups. HELIUM is not only a symbolic name, but also a metaphor for educational upliftment through internationalization, inclusion and digitalization.
The second project – INSPIRE (Institutional Accreditation for Sustainable Progress, Innovation and Excellence of Ukrainian Higher Education System towards European Integration) – is coordinated by Wroclaw University of Technology (Poland) and will last for four years. Its main goal is to create an effective and transparent system of institutional accreditation for Ukrainian universities that meets European standards. The focus is on developing clear criteria, optimizing procedures, reducing administrative burden, mitigating corruption risks, and ensuring sustainability through continuous improvement. The project involves training of specialists, development of reporting templates, self-assessment mechanisms, and integration of quality practices into the strategies of higher education institutions. It is expected that this reform will increase the motivation of the academic community and contribute to the sustainable development and post-war recovery of Ukraine’s education system.
The third project, UNITWIN (University Infrastructure for Workforce Development focusing on Twin Transition), is led by the University of Lisbon (Portugal) and focuses on updating university infrastructure to meet the challenges of the so-called “double transition” – digital transformation and the transition to a sustainable economy. Particular attention is paid to adapting educational programs to the needs of the modern labor market, developing students’ environmental competencies, and modernizing the material and technical base for training a new generation of specialists.
The victory of SNAU in three competitions of the Erasmus+ CBHE program is a significant recognition of our potential at the international level, as well as proof that even in difficult war conditions, the university remains a reliable partner, a driver of educational reforms and a space for innovative development.
