From November 18 to December 19, 2025, Sumy National Agrarian University hosted a training course “Development of pedagogical skills of a higher education teacher”. The event became an important component of the university’s systematic work to improve the quality of teaching and develop the scientific and pedagogical potential of the institution.
The goal of the course was to improve the professional competence of young teachers, form a modern vision of the educational process, and strengthen the human resources potential of SNAU. The program included more than 10 highly qualified lecturers and brought together more than 50 students – young teachers from all faculties of the university, creating a space for interfaculty professional dialogue and exchange of experience. The event took place in a mixed format – both online and offline.
The first module of the course was dedicated to the organization of the educational process in a higher education institution. The participants considered the features of the functioning of the educational environment of SNAU, modern forms of organizing learning, and approaches to assessing the learning outcomes of students. The lecturers were Vice-Rector for Scientific, Pedagogical and Educational Work Marharyta Lyshenko and Head of the Educational Department Nataliia Kolodnenko.
The second module focused on ensuring the quality of higher education. The block covered the system of internal and external quality assurance, the role of surveys of education seekers and stakeholders, as well as the issue of academic integrity. The topics were presented by the Head of the Department of Educational Quality, Licensing and Accreditation Olena Rybina and Doctor of Science in Public Administration of the Department of Public Administration Tetiana Kharchenko.
The third module was dedicated to the scientific and international activities of the teacher. The participants got acquainted with the peculiarities of the scientific work of a young scientist, the logic of research development and the possibilities of participating in international grant activities – from preparing an application to implementing a project. The lecturer was Vice-Rector for Scientific and International Activities Yurii Danko.
The fourth module covered the issues of digitalization of higher education. The block considered the possibilities of using Google and Microsoft Online services in organizing the educational process, modern digital tools, issues of information and cyber security, as well as the use of artificial intelligence systems in the educational activities of teachers. The lecturers were the director of the center for digitalization of the educational process Nataliia Parshykova, associate professor of the Department of Cybernetics and Informatics Svitlana Ahadzhanova, associate professor of the Department of Cybernetics and Informatics Ihor Shelekhov, and associate professor of the same department Yuliia Rudenko.
The fifth module was dedicated to the personal development of the teacher and the psychological and pedagogical aspects of the educational process. The participants discussed the role of the teacher as a leader and mentor, the formation of a personal brand in an academic environment, psychological support for participants in the educational process in war conditions, and the development of communicative skills. The lecturers were Kseniia Bliumska-Danko, an associate professor at the Department of Marketing and Logistics and a researcher at the University of Paris-Saclay, Olha Semeniuk, a practical psychologist, and Inna Kharchenko, a doctor of pedagogical sciences, professor at the Department of State and Legal Disciplines and Ukrainian Studies.
Yana Illiashenko, a postgraduate student at the Department of Food Technology and Safety, shared her impressions of participating in the course:
“The course made a positive impression due to its clearly expressed practical orientation, the combination of modern pedagogical approaches with real examples of the educational process of Sumy National Agrarian University, and its orientation to the needs of the professional activity of scientific and pedagogical workers. The educational materials are structured logically, presented systematically and methodically, which ensures their accessible perception and effective assimilation. The course contributes to the development of pedagogical skills, the improvement of professional competencies, and stimulates further professional self-development.”
Summing up the results of the course, it can be noted that it has become an effective platform for the professional growth of young teachers, deepening their pedagogical, scientific and digital competencies and forming a common vision for the development of higher education. In the future, Sumy National Agrarian University plans to further develop the course, expand its program and possibly involve external students in the training, which will contribute to strengthening the scientific and pedagogical potential of not only the university, but also the region as a whole.
