As part of the international initiative University Press Publishing for Ukraine, implemented at Oxford Brookes University (Great Britain) a study visit for representatives of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, vice-rectors for research at higher education institutions, and editors of Ukrainian scientific publications was held in January. The event became an important platform for professional dialogue on the transformation of scientific publishing, Ukraine’s integration into the European Open Science Area, and strengthening the institutional capacity of university publishers in the context of the country’s recovery.
Among the participants of the programme is Yurii DANKO, Vice-Rector for Scientific and International Activities at Sumy National Agrarian University. The participation of Ukrainian university administrators and editors in such type of training is strategically important, as it allows them to learn first-hand about the best global practices in academic publishing, journal management, open access policies, and ethical standards for publications.
The visit programme was intensive and focused on key players in the global scientific publishing landscape. Participants had the opportunity to work with experts from Oxford University Press, Cambridge University Press, Princeton University Press, UCL Press, Taylor & Francis, Springer Nature, BMJ Publishing Group, as well as world-class infrastructure organisations such as Crossref, CLOCKSS, JISC, and Ingram Content Group.
These institutions are currently shaping the rules of the game in the field of academic journals, monographs, digital distribution, and long-term preservation of scientific results. Particular emphasis was placed on issues of open science, sustainable financial models for university publishers, the role of state support for academic publishing, the use of artificial intelligence in editorial processes, and ensuring research integrity and publication ethics. Visits to Oxford University Press and UCL Press gave participants a unique opportunity to see how academic mission, high-quality content and innovative business models are combined in the world’s leading university publishing houses.
For the Ukrainian higher education system, such a programme is not only educational but also strategic in nature. The knowledge and contacts create the foundation for modernising national scientific journals, increasing their international visibility, introducing transparent editorial procedures, and strengthening trust in Ukrainian research at the global level. The participation of Yurii DANKO and other representatives of Ukrainian universities in the University Press Publishing for Ukraine programme is another step towards the systematic integration of Ukrainian science into the global academic community and the development of universities as full-fledged players in the international research area.
A separate event that made a deep impression on the participants of the study visit was a visit to Ingram Content Group in Milton Keynes, the world’s largest distribution network for printed products and a leading global operator in the field of print-on-demand. The scale of production, level of automation and logistics solutions demonstrated during the visit clearly showed how modern technologies are shaping the future of academic publishing and the global dissemination of knowledge.
At the same time, this day had a powerful emotional dimension. A warm welcome organised by representatives of the Ukrainian diaspora in Milton Keynes caused a real emotional outburst. Ukrainian songs performed by Ukrainian girls became a sincere and touching testimony to the unity of Ukrainians around the world and their unbreakable support for their homeland. It was particularly symbolic for Sumy National Agrarian University that one of the organisers of this meeting was Viktoria SHTANKO, a graduate of the Finance programme of Sumy National Agrarian University. Having moved to the United Kingdom more than 20 years ago, she has built a successful professional career while maintaining close ties with Ukraine and her alma mater. A striking confirmation of this was the flag of the 117th Territorial Defence Brigade of Sumy Region, a unit to which Victoria, together with the Ukrainian community in Great Britain provides ongoing support.
