27-29 November 2023, the 31st edition NETWORK MEETING was organized in the frameworks of the EU Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs project «Rebuilding the Future: Support actions for Ukrainian Youth Entrepreneurs / EYE TO THE FUTURE» by Eurochambres, acting as the Support Office of the Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs programme, the European Commission and EISMEA, at Brussel, Belgium.

This year "KROK" University became intemediary organization to help young enrepreneurs to participate in EYE programme.

The Network Meeting aimed to:

• Bring together the various stakeholders in the EYE implementation network: (L)IOs, the EC, EISMEA, and the Support Office.
• Trained and provided information to new IOs.
• Ensured productive peer-learning and networking among the different cycles.
• Shared inspiring practices.

The 31st Networking Meeting kicked off with an official welcome from the European Commission, EISMEA, and the Support Office. Participants delved into the plenary session, gaining crucial updates on the EYE program and receiving insightful feedback on relevant topics for IOs. A Q&A session rounded out this segment, gathering feedback on the program's direction and implementation.

A significant focus was placed on exploring potential synergies with other EU relevant programs during the session. The closing session provided an opportunity for a comprehensive wrap-up of the meeting, where relevant final remarks were communicated to IOs.

Attendees had the chance to get acquainted with other IOs and share their experiences with them. Furthermore, exciting learning opportunities awaited all participants.

Many thanks to Eurochambres, acting as the Support Office of the Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs programme, the European Commission and EISMEA teams for organization of such an interesting and efficient event and to all partners of #ErasmusforYoungEntrepreneurs team for active participation!

23-24 November 2023, the 3rd COOPERA Expert Workshop, combined with Steering Committee Meeting was organized in the frameworks of the EU Erasmus+ project «Integration of Dual Higher Education in Moldova and Ukraine / COOPERA» at Academy of Economic Studies of Moldova (ASEM), Chișinău (Moldova).

"KROK" University was represented by the team of the Educational and Scientific Institute of International Education: Andrii Lotariev, Director; Anna Drobyna, Head of the Department of International Educational Programs of ESIIE; Galina Bogachenko, Director of International Project Office of ESIIE and Svitlana Oleshchuk, Head of Projects and Programs at the Center of International Projects of ESIIE.

The extensive program included the list of issues:

• Welcoming by representetives of administration of ASEM: Nadejda VELIȘCO - General Secretary, Ministry of Education and Research, Republic Moldova; Alexandru STRATAN – Rector, ASEM; Olesea SIRBU – COOPERA`s grant coordinator, Vice-rector for International Relations and European Projects, ASEM;
• Presentation of Normative regulations regarding dual higher education in Republic of Moldova by Ala LUCA - Main consultant, Directorate of policies in the field of higher education, Ministry of Education and Research, Republic of Moldova;
• Presentation of Involvement of companies in promoting and attracting candidates to dual education by Liudmila STIHI - expert in dual VET, GIZ Moldova;
• Presentation of the main achievements and obstacles in the piloting of dual higher education programs within ULIM by Natalia SPINU - Director, European Institute for Political Studies of Moldova (IESP) and Luminița MIRON - student;
• Presentation of the main achievements and obstacles in the piloting of dual higher education programs within TUM by Viorica SUDACEVSCHI - Head of Informatics and Systems Engineering Department, TUM;
• Presentations of the main achievements and obstacles in the piloting of dual higher education programs within Ukrainian Universities: UzhNU (Tetyana BUTURLAKINA), KROK (Andrii Lotariev), KKNU (Yuliia KVITKA), ONEU (Diana ZAVADSKA);
• Project Management Session for the Project Managers of the Consortium.

Many thanks to Academy of Economic Studies of Moldova (ASEM) team for organization of such an interesting and efficient event and to all partners of #COOPERA team for active participation!

In October and November 2023, Educational and Scientific Institute of International Education presented "KROK" University in a number of educational online fairs Begin Edu Fairs, which were organized by the international company Begin Group, which works with educational organizations around the world. In particular, fairs were held in Georgia, Azerbaijan, Egypt, India and Sub-Saharan Africa countries (Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania). Representatives of International Office had the opportunity to communicate with applicants online and present the programs implemented at “KROK” University.

We are sincerely grateful to the Ukrainian State Center for International Education of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine for the opportunity to participate in such events! And we are waiting for new international students at our University!

On November 6-10, 2023, Jan van Zwieten, Rector of the Netherlands Business Academy visited «KROK» University in the framework of Erasmus+ KA171 mobility for training.

During the visit, in addition to coming to give lectures to students, professor from Netherlands had meetings with the teams of KROK Business School, and Educational and Scientific Institute of International Education for discussion of results of MEDIATS project, implementation of new Erasmus+ project «Art of Negotiation and Conflict Resolution (Mediation)/ArtNoConflict» and development of new projects.

The visit contributes to fruitful relationship between KROK University and Netherlands Business Academy.

KROK University has won a project within the framework of Erasmus+ (focus area "Virtual Exchanges in Higher Education and Youth") titled "Art of Negotiation and Conflict Resolution (Mediation)/ArtNoConflict."

The project aims to provide students and young people who are not enrolled in educational institutions with access to a new level of international intercultural and inclusive education through the implementation of virtual exchanges on the art of negotiation and mediation in EU countries, Georgia, and Ukraine. This is intended to strengthen democracy, cultural diversity, and the objective resolution of issues by acquiring the best European practices.

The project's objectives include:

• Conducting training for youth workers and university representatives on developing critical thinking skills, negotiation, and mediation.
• Developing and implementing an online course on the "Art of Negotiation and Conflict Resolution (Mediation)."
• Organizing a series of virtual events for students and youth.
• Establishing a sustainable intercultural communication network among EU countries, Georgia, and Ukraine.
• Reducing conflicts in Ukrainian and Georgian societies through the exchange of mediation values.

To achieve these goals, a range of activities is planned, including:

• Developing educational programs for both students and youth workers.
• Conducting virtual training, seminars, mediation simulations, negotiation workshops, and a concluding informationconference.
• Organizing virtual visits to partner universities for knowledge exchange, and more.
• Disseminating the project's values and results.

Project partners:

• Netherlands Business Academy, Netherlands - coordinator
• V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University, Ukraine
• KROK University, Ukraine
• Mykolas Romerius University, Lithuania
• Shota Rustaveli Batumi State University, Georgia
• Ukrainian Youth Association , Ukraine
• NGO "Youth of the World", Georgia

Beneficiaries of the project: university students, out-of-school youth, university employees, youth workers.

Congratulations to the winners! KROK University wishing a successful implementation to the project consortium!

On October 26, 2023, a meeting of International Business Department of Educational and Scientific Institute of International Education of "KROK" University with stakeholders regarding the discussion of the educational and professional program "Management (English)" was held online in Microsoft Teams.

Stakeholders were represented by: Yuliia Kovalenko, Associate Professor of the Department of Foreign Economic Activity Management of the National Aviation University, Viktoriia Pivovar, Master of International Economics and Development Economics of HTW, Berlin, Germany, Export Manager of ESE Engineering and Software-Entwicklung GmbH, Ihor Babiyar, Commercial Director of the transport and forwarding company Cargo Logistics Service Ukraine, Nataliia Prokhorova, Procurement Manager of the commercial office of “Silpo” food chain.

During the meeting, stakeholders reviewed the educational and professional program "Management (English)", provided the recommendations on the names and content of the obligatory educational components, as well as the electives. Also the possibilities for students internships at the enterprises were discussed with business representatives.

We sincerely thank the external stakeholders for their time and valuable recommendations, which will become the basis for improving the quality of the educational and professional program "Management (English)"!

On October 25, 2023, the Workshop on “Inspirational leadership.

Service values and principles" from Nataliia Pohozheva, PhD in Economics, public activist, acting treasurer and coordinator in Ukraine of the international non-governmental organization "World Academy of Art and Science" (WAAS), co-founder of the international community of youth leadership "YLN - Youth Leadership Network", head and ideologist of the "Green Education Ukraine" initiative aimed at changing approaches to education standards in Ukraine, one of the founders of the Ukrainian Agrarian Business Club and the Ukrainian Heritage Foundation. The degree seeking applicants of Business School KROK and English-taught educational programs of the University - "Management (English)" and "International Business" were involved in the event.

Ms. Nataliia is the author of dozens of scientific publications and studies on agro-industrial and social topics. In 2016, in co-authorship with Siebe Schaap, she published the book "DETOX. Conversations with a philosopher: resentment and politics", which reveals the problem of detoxification of Ukrainian society, the need to cleanse it of populism.

We are grateful to Ms. Nataliia for an interesting lecture and initiative in the formation of future leaders!

Dear students,

Business School KROK invites you to participate in the workshop "Inspirational Leadership. Service values and principles" from Nataliia Pohozheva, PhD in Economics, public figure in the field of institutional, agrarian and educational policy, acting treasurer and coordinator in Ukraine of the international non-governmental organization "World Academy of Arts and Sciences" (WAAS).

Worked as an institution building and regulatory policy officer in Georgia, Madagascar and Mauritius.

When: October 25, 2023 at 1:00 p.m

Where: offline in lecture room: 312 (Business School KROK)

Language of the event: English. Details and registration at the link

On October 9, 2023, Welcome Day 2023 was held for first-year students of English-taught program “Management”. The event was organized by the Educational and Scientific Institute of International Education online in Microsoft Teams.

Freshmen had the opportunity to get acquainted with the history of "KROK" University, E-learning platforms used by HEI for conducting online classes, the opportunities for students offered by HEI, received information on academic and migration issues, had the virtual tour around the University, as well as got to know each other during the interactive speed dating.

Andrii Lotariev, Director of Institute of International Education, Anna Drobyna, Head of International Office, Maryna Skalatska, Project Manager, as well as graduates of the University's English-taught programs addressed the freshmen with welcome words.

The organizers of the event familiarized the freshmen with the capabilities of the Telegram bot "KROK-Pomichnyk (Krokhelper)", which is available in Ukrainian and English. Students will be able to receive the information about the schedule, academic performance, financial issues, etc. through the bot.

The organizers also informed the first-year students about the Buddy-system, which is being implemented at "KROK" University as part of the INTERADIS project, and told how to get in touch with a Buddy who is ready to help newcomers to adapt to unfamiliar conditions.

Dear freshmen, welcome to KROK family! We wish you success, personal and professional growth in our Alma Mater!

«KROK» University became a partner of the consortium of Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs project “EYE to the FUTURE”, co-funded by the European Union.

The project aims at supporting Ukrainian (aspirant) entrepreneurs to launch, maintain or restart their economic activities, providing an active support through the cooperation with European entrepreneurs, the exchange of experiences, and the inspiration and networking among the EU business community.

Project Duration: 01.10.2023 – 31.01.2026 (28 month)

Project Coordinator: MICROFINANZA SRL, Italy

Partners:

• «KROK» University, Ukraine
• Nyuko asbl, Luxembourg
• ECSF GMBH, Deutch
• Sihtasutus Startup Wise Guys, Estonia

On September 27, 2023, preparatory meeting was held within the framework of EYE project. Experienced coordinator "MICROFINANZA SRL“, private and fully independent consulting firm specialized in the microfinance sector, shared his experience with partners. The partners discussed the Grant Agreement details and future plans of the project implementation.

We are looking forward to a fruitful cooperation and efficient partnership!