The Second International Scientific and Practical Conference ‘Innovative Processes in the Education Sector of Ukraine and Central European Countries: Status, Problems and Prospects’ held at WUNU
On 11-12 December 2025, West Ukrainian National University hosted the II International Scientific and Practical Conference "Innovative Processes in the Education Sector of Ukraine and Central European Countries: Status, Problems and Prospects," organised by the staff of the Department of Educology and Pedagogy of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities of WUNU.
The Academy of Social Sciences – Higher School of Management and Administration in Opole (Republic of Poland) became the venue for the conference in 2025, which emphasised the international nature of the event and contributed to the expansion of academic cooperation between higher education institutions in Ukraine and Central European countries. The conference was co-organised by the Catholic University in Ružomberok (Slovak Republic) and the College of Applied Psychology in Terezín (Czech Republic). The scientific event was held in cooperation with the Department of Education and Science of the Ternopil Regional Military Administration.
The conference was moderated by Volodymyr Chaika, Head of the Department of Educology and Pedagogy at WUNU, Doctor of Pedagogical Sciences, Professor.
The conference was attended by scientists, education administrators, leading practitioners from preschool, primary, inclusive, vocational and media education institutions, as well as students of all levels of higher education from Ukraine and Central European countries. The event was held in a mixed format, which ensured broad international representation and active scientific communication.
Welcoming speeches were given by Oksana Desyatnyuk, Rector of West Ukrainian National University, Mykola Divak, Vice-Rector for Research, Olha Khoma, Director of the Department of Education and Science of the Ternopil Regional State Administration, Oksana Homotiuk, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, and Oksana Pysarchuk, Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities of WUNU.
During the plenary session, interesting and relevant reports were heard from representatives from Ukraine and abroad. For example, Iryna Korol, director of the Ternopil Training and Rehabilitation Centre of the Ternopil Regional Council, spoke about the practical aspects of social and psychological support for children with special educational needs.
Oleksandra Yankovych, professor at the Department of Pedagogy and Methodology of Primary and Preschool Education at V. Hnatiuk Ternopil National Pedagogical University, outlined ideas for preventing ‘nature deficit disorder’ in preschool and primary school children. Viktor Kavetsky, Acting Head of the Department of Pedagogy, Psychology and Inclusive Education at the Ternopil Regional Municipal Institute of Postgraduate Pedagogical Education, described the partnership and interaction of participants in the educational process in an inclusive environment.
Dr. hab., Professor, Head of the Department of Educational Research at the Academy of Applied Sciences – Higher School of Management and Administration in Opole (Poland) Zenon Yasinsky substantiated the concept of a pedagogical academy for parents of preschool and primary school children. Dr. hab. Sławomir Śliwa, Professor, Vice-Rector for International Cooperation at the Academy of Applied Sciences – Higher School of Management and Administration in Opole (Poland), spoke about ways of resolving conflicts in state primary schools in Poland.
Subsequently, conference participants discussed current issues and prospects for the development of the education sector in five sections: 1) management of educational institutions in times of change: new models and technologies; 2) strategies and techniques for the development of pre-school and primary education; 3) ensuring the quality of inclusive education; 4) media education and social communications in times of social transformation; 5) innovative approaches in professional and continuing education.
During the scientific and practical event, participants presented the results of current scientific research, discussed effective educational practices and innovative approaches to management and teaching, and outlined promising areas for further inter-university and international cooperation.
