The development of international activities at the university is aimed at improving the quality of student education as well as enhancing the university’s ranking in Ukraine and abroad. The university’s international activities align with the principles defined by the Bologna Declaration, which calls to: “…promote mobility and the effective implementation of the freedom of movement for students, paying particular attention to their access to educational institutions and services, as well as the recognition of scientific research conducted abroad,” and also with the goals and objectives of higher education in Ukraine, particularly the achievement of an open education system and its integration into the global educational space.
Taking into account the trends of globalization and the unification of global efforts to solve pressing modern issues, the matter of Ukraine’s integration into the European and global community in general, and of Ukrainian academic thought in particular, is becoming increasingly relevant.
Therefore, the international activities of Mykolaiv National Agrarian University are primarily focused on:
- implementing the core ideas and requirements of the Bologna Declaration;
- expanding and establishing direct contacts with leading foreign universities;
- improving the quality of knowledge of future specialists and lecturers through the organization of student internships and training programs;
- participating in international grant programs.
At the “La Sapienza” University, Rome, Italy
In the field of science – exchange of invitations to participate in scientific and practical conferences and seminars, including student ones; preparation and publication of joint scientific papers; organization of bilateral scientific internships for lecturers, postgraduate students, and students; participation in the preparation and implementation of joint scientific projects, including within intergovernmental programs and international grants; exchange of scientific and technical literature published by lecturers and staff of educational institutions.
In the field of culture and sports – organization of events aimed at better familiarizing Ukrainian citizens with the culture of other countries; exchange of invitations to participate in festivals, competitions, and other cultural and mass events held by educational institutions; organization of joint competitions among athletes of educational institutions.
In the field of administration – mutual visits of representatives of the management and administration of both educational institutions for consultations, coordination of the implementation of agreement terms, and experience exchange on higher education management.
The Research Center for International Cooperation and Legal Support was established based on the International Department of Mykolaiv National Agrarian University in January 2014.
This was a logical and consistent step in the development of the university’s international activities. Today’s reality requires active contact with foreign institutions of education and science, new ties with industries, including those abroad, and greater integration into the international educational space. Universities have always been drivers of progress and generators of ideas for production. It is extremely important that contractual relations among all interested parties remain within the legal framework, considering the potential significance of various discoveries or inventions.
In addition, foreign students who have chosen Mykolaiv National Agrarian University as their alma mater will always feel protected, having the opportunity for direct contact with the experienced legal counsel of the Center.
The Center’s activities are aimed at integrating MNAU into the global educational and scientific environment, searching for financial resources for MNAU’s development, improving the quality of knowledge of future specialists and lecturers with the help of international funds, and promoting the university’s reputation abroad. Among the Center’s tasks are also attracting international resources to the university for the development of educational and research activities, developing international academic mobility of MNAU students and lecturers through the signing of cooperation agreements with foreign universities and other partner organizations, involving students, postgraduates, and lecturers in international cooperation projects and academic mobility programs, coordinating the university’s participation in international educational and research projects and programs, providing technical support for the publication of MNAU scholars in foreign academic journals, and ensuring strict compliance with the current legislation of Ukraine and other regulatory legal acts.
Mykolaiv National Agrarian University is interested in cooperation with international partners to improve the quality of educational programs and education in Ukraine. This is evidenced by the international accreditation of the MNAU Master’s educational and professional program “Agrarian Management” by experts of the ACQUIN Accreditation Commission.
The University has hosted official visits by representatives of universities and scientific-educational institutions from the following countries:
- United States of America (delegation of students and lecturers from the University of Iowa, representatives from Auburn University, University of Nebraska–Lincoln, representatives of the Peace Corps);
- Austria (professors from Alpen-Adria University, Klagenfurt);
- France (representatives of the France–Ukraine Exchange Association, professors from the University of Toulouse, representatives of the national dramatic arts organization (CRAD), Clermont-Ferrand);
- Germany (representatives of the German Academic Exchange Service, German Agrarian Center, organizations LOGOev, APOLLO, German Farmers’ Union, Humboldt University, Berlin);
- Belgium (professors from Ghent University);
- United Kingdom (lecturer from Mark and John College, Plymouth University);
- Poland (professors from the Warsaw Institute of Economics);
- China (representatives of Qingdao district administration, lecturers from Jilin University);
- South Korea (representatives of the KOICA volunteer organization, Chungbuk and Dongbuk Universities);
- Turkmenistan (attaché for scientific and educational cooperation from the Embassy of Turkmenistan in Ukraine).
In turn, representatives of MNAU visited the following universities and scientific-educational institutions:
- Hamburg University of Technology, Germany;
- Aalborg University, Denmark;
- Aalborg University in Copenhagen, Denmark;
- Polytechnic University of Milan, Italy;
- University of Niš, Serbia;
- University of Novi Sad, Serbia;
- University of Opole, Poland;
- Singidunum University, Serbia;
- Vidzeme University, Latvia;
- San Jose College, USA;
- El Camino College, USA;
- Tucson College, USA;
- Columbia University, Colombia;
- University of Naples, Italy;
- University of Florence, Italy;
- La Sapienza University, Rome, Italy;
- University of Bologna, Italy;
- Magna Charta Association, Bologna, Italy;
- Jilin University, China;
- France–Ukraine Exchange Federation, France;
- Weihenstephan-Triesdorf University of Applied Sciences, Germany;
- Ghent University, Belgium;
- Humboldt University, Germany;
- University of Jena, Weimar, Germany;
- National Institute of Agrotechnology, Argentina;
- Aarhus University, Denmark;
- Grinsted College, Denmark;
- as well as institutions in Poland, Russia, Moldova, and Belarus.
The results of these visits included the signing of cooperation agreements, joint publications, scientific projects, and more.
During the operation of the department, the base for internships abroad was significantly expanded. Now, MNAU students have the opportunity to undertake internships in the USA, Germany, France, Switzerland, Denmark, Norway, Poland, Finland, and Australia.
International Student Internships
Cooperation agreements in the fields of science, education, and culture have been signed with the universities of Naples and Florence (Italy), Chungbuk (South Korea), Vigo (Spain), the Higher Agricultural School of Toulouse-Auzeville and the ISFRADA Institute (France), Klagenfurt (Austria), the National Institute of Agrotechnology, Buenos Aires (Argentina), among others. The main areas of cooperation include the development of joint research projects, organization of joint educational and scientific events such as seminars, conferences, and symposiums, academic and research exchanges of teaching and research staff, student exchange programs, and the development of double degree programs, among others.
Under these agreements, students have the opportunity to obtain a degree from a partner university along with a degree from MNAU. Currently, such agreements have been signed with Weihenstephan-Triesdorf University of Applied Sciences (Bavaria, Germany), the university in Dąbrowa Górnicza (Poland), and the University of Vigo (Galicia, Spain).
Securing financial support from international foundations and research organizations is a vital component of the university’s international activity. MNAU scholars annually participate in grant projects such as Erasmus+ (formerly TEMPUS), Erasmus Mundus, Horizon 2020 (formerly the 7th Framework Programme), and others. Among the consortium partners are universities such as Hamburg University of Technology, Technical University of Munich, Georg-August University of Göttingen, Humboldt University, Christian-Albrecht University, and Anhalt University of Applied Sciences (Germany); Ghent University (Belgium); University of Malta in Italy; Universities of Perugia and Bari (Italy); University of Vigo (Spain); Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra (Slovakia); Estonian University of Life Sciences (Estonia); Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies (Latvia); the Universities of Larissa and Piraeus (Greece); the University of Niš (Serbia), and others.
At the Opening of the Tempus Office in Ukraine
The University has become a full member of major international educational organizations.
In 2009, in the city of Bologna, Italy, the Rector of MNAU, V.S. Shebanin, signed the Magna Charta Universitatum – the fundamental document of the Bologna Process.
Cooperation continues with the Institute of International Education, the Talloires Network, and the Korea Association for International Cooperation. Direct contact is maintained with representatives of scholarship and grant program offices in Ukraine (NEO, National Contact Point for the Horizon 2020 program, offices of the German Academic Exchange Service, the British Council, and the American Association for International Exchange and Research), as well as with the education and culture departments of embassies from many countries (USA – Representation of the Department of Agriculture and the State Department; Austria – Representation of the Austrian Academic Exchange Service; Italy, France, Germany, Sweden, and CIS countries – cultural and science sections).
Forms of cooperation include attending annual conferences and congresses, working on proposals submitted by organizers and other association members, developing and implementing in-house initiatives, participation of students and academic staff in programs and projects of the mentioned organizations, and other forms of collaboration.
Solemn Ceremony of Signing the Magna Charta Universitatum, Bologna, Italy