Interproject cooperation within the framework of the DAAD program «German-Ukrainian Network of Universities»: a new stage in the development of Zaporizhzhya Polytechnic’s partnership with German universities
Inter-project collaboration within the DAAD’s German-Ukrainian University Network program: a new phase in the development of Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic University’s partnership with German universities
One of the key outcomes of Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic National University’s participation in the German-Ukrainian University Network (DUHN) program of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) is the development of cooperation between project teams, which opens up new opportunities for partner universities. The DUHN program is being implemented with the support of the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology, and Space (BMFTR) from 2025 to 2029. Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic National University is one of the most active Ukrainian participants in the program, taking part in four DUHN projects at once: https://www.daad-ukraine.org/uk/pro-nas/duhn/
On June 24–25, a working meeting was held at the East Bavarian University of Applied Sciences Amberg-Weiden (OTH Amberg-Weiden) between representatives of two projects under the DUHN program—UA4PIM (Project Management and Innovation for Ukraine, https://projects4ukraine.info/) and TANDEM-UA-DE (Teaching and Administration Network for Double Degree Education and Mobility — Ukraine and Germany).
The UA4PIM project is being implemented by Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic University in collaboration with Dortmund University of Applied Sciences and Arts (FH Dortmund), Western Ukrainian National University, and Kyiv National University of Construction and Architecture. OTH Amberg-Weiden is a partner of Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic University in another DUHN program project—TANDEM-UA-DE. The key objectives of both projects are to develop dual-degree programs and to establish sustainable partnerships between German and Ukrainian universities.
Carsten Wolff, Ph.D., UA4PIM Project Manager, Director of IDiAL FH Dortmund, and Professor; Julia Heigl, Ph.D., TANDEM-UA-DE Project Manager and Vice President for Academic and International Affairs at OTH Amberg-Weiden; as well as representatives from Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic National University — Rector Viktor Hreshta; Kateryna Antoniuk, Professor in the Department of Economics and Customs; Dmytro Antoniuk, Professor in the Department of Management; Anzhelika Parkhomenko, Associate Professor in the Department of Software Engineering; and Andriy Kuts, Associate Professor in the Department of Management and Administration—discussed the results of both projects and the prospects for further cooperation. Particular attention was paid to the development of dual-degree programs, international academic mobility, modern approaches to managing educational projects, and the development of long-term partnerships between universities in Germany and Ukraine.
The delegation from FH Dortmund also took part in a meeting dedicated to reviewing the first year of the TANDEM-UA-DE project, where they had the opportunity to learn about the results of the collaboration between OTH Amberg-Weiden, Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic, Ihor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute, and Lutsk National Technical University. Professor Carsten Wolff presented the experience of implementing joint Ukrainian-German educational projects, as well as FH Dortmund’s approaches to developing international cooperation. Representatives from FH Dortmund participated in the visit’s program: Ekaterina Hermann, UA4PIM project coordinator, and Catrin Randersen, UA4PIM trainer training program coordinator.
Collaboration among DUHN projects significantly enhances their impact by combining the expertise of different universities, expanding professional networks, and creating new opportunities for developing joint educational and research initiatives!
