Successful completion of TURBO project training at WUNU: new knowledge – new opportunities!
West Ukrainian National University hosted the graduation ceremony of the retraining and social adaptation programme for internally displaced persons in the field of entrepreneurship, implemented within the TURBO project (‘The Universities’ Reaction to Big Obstructions: Building resilient higher education to respond and manage societal crises’).
This project received funding from the European Union (ERASMUS-EDU-2023-CBHE) under Grant Agreement No. 101129315. The project coordinator in Ukraine is the International Foundation for Social Adaptation, whose president, Volodymyr Rubtsov, attended the ceremony.
Addressing those present, the Foundation president noted: ‘This university is an example of successful financial and administrative management, high-quality personnel selection and rapid response to changes. I am confident that the people here are professionals and patriots. They understand what needs to be done in these difficult times.’
Over the course of four months, participants gained knowledge in finance, marketing, the basics of business planning and developing their own businesses. The programme became a platform for generating new ideas, supporting entrepreneurial initiative, providing psychological support and mutual assistance.
Welcoming the project participants, Oksana Desyatnyuk, Rector of West Ukrainian National University, said: "Dear friends!
One of the important stages of the international project TURBO – ‘The Universities’ Reaction to Big Obstructions: Building resilient higher education to respond and manage societal crises’ has been completed. For four months, training was conducted at the West Ukrainian National University, which was successfully completed by 30 internally displaced persons. This project has become an example of how it is possible to create, learn, develop and support each other even in the most difficult circumstances. We are proud that the West Ukrainian National University is part of this powerful initiative aimed at supporting human potential and strengthening the resilience of Ukrainian education in the face of modern challenges."
The project was coordinated by Nord University of Norway, and our partners included leading universities in Ukraine and Europe. Special thanks go to the International Foundation for Social Adaptation, the project coordinator in Ukraine, for its extremely important mission of supporting and integrating internally displaced persons.
The TURBO project programme was aimed not only at professional retraining but also at adaptation to new living conditions and the development of entrepreneurial thinking. Participants mastered financial instruments, learned how to develop start-up strategies and, just as importantly, gained confidence in their own abilities and faith in the future.
This project is more than just a course. It is a step towards strengthening the human spirit, creating new opportunities, and restoring confidence that, despite everything, life goes on. We believe that the knowledge you have gained will become a solid foundation for realising your ideas, starting or restarting your own business, and adapting to new conditions.
West Ukrainian National University has been and remains a centre of innovation, support, partnership and development. We firmly believe that education is one of the most powerful tools for the country's recovery. It is through partnership, international solidarity and joint efforts that the strength capable of overcoming the most difficult challenges of today is born.
Congratulations to all participants on completing the training. We would like to thank our international partners from the Kingdom of Norway, the Republic of Poland, the public organisation ‘Educational and Social Innovations’, teachers, consultants, coordinators – everyone who contributed to the implementation of this project, and especially you, dear graduates of the project. For us, you are an example of strength of spirit, courage and love for Ukraine.
