At the end of October 2025, a delegation of Ukrainian vice-rectors from higher education institutions visited Warsaw at the invitation of their Polish partners. The purpose of the trip was to participate in a joint Polish-Ukrainian meeting of vice-rectors for scientific work, an event that brought together university science leaders from both countries for an open discussion on the role of universities in strengthening Europe’s scientific potential, developing research ecosystems and shaping a new culture of innovation.
The event was held as part of the project ‘Polish-Ukrainian cooperation of representative organisations of rectors for the improvement of higher education institutions,’ coordinated by the Conference of Rectors of Academic Schools in Poland (KRASP) and the Union of Rectors of Ukraine (ZRUU).
Sumy National Agrarian University was represented by Yurii Danko, Vice-Rector for Scientific and International Activities at SNAU and Deputy Chair of the Presidium of the Council of Vice-Rectors for Scientific Work of Ukraine.
On the first day of the meeting, participants focused on the prospects for bilateral cooperation in science and innovation, opportunities to expand the presence of Ukrainian universities in international consortia, involving business in research initiatives, and developing new models for financing and supporting research groups. The official part was opened by Project Leader Professor Jerzy WOZNNYTSKYI, who presented strategic development guidelines, while Project Coordinator Iryna DEHTIAROVA emphasised the role of vice-rectors as agents of change capable of influencing the transformation of higher education through science.
Further discussions covered the development of scientific communication, digital research support, and interdisciplinarity as the foundation of modern scientific breakthroughs. On 22 October, the work continued in three focus groups: ‘Cooperation between science and business,’ ‘Scientific communication,’ and ‘Development of researchers’ skills.’ The findings of these groups will form the basis for the next stage of the project and the development of joint systemic solutions for Polish and Ukrainian universities.
For Sumy National Agrarian University, participation in such meetings is not only about representation and diplomacy in the field of higher education. It is about working towards results and depth: strengthening the position of Ukrainian science in the European research community, forming new cooperation networks, attracting partnerships and opening up opportunities for young scientists. This is how presence is built — not declarative, but effective. And this is how trust is formed, which becomes the foundation for joint high-level ideas.
