From 28 April to 2 May 2025, a delegation from SumDU visited JAMK University of Applied Sciences (Finland), a member of the E³UDRES² alliance of European universities.

The visit was part of the international grant project “Pedagogy in the State of Emergency”. It is funded by the Finnish National Agency for Education within the Team Finland Knowledge program.

This project responds to a critical need at SumDU. The project goal is to strengthen the capacity of SumDU teachers and mentors to support students’ learning and academic progress in an emergency situation. The project is coordinated by the University of Applied Sciences (JAMK) in Jyväskylä (Finland). SumDU is represented by the Department of International Economic Relations.

The project investigates pedagogical strategies that help SumDU students achieve their learning goals in a complex educational environment. Based on the research, a training module “Pedagogy in an Emergency Situation” will be jointly developed and piloted by SumDU teachers. An important part of the project is participation of students themselves. During four student mobilities to JAMK, they will join the module development as informants and evaluators of the content. One of these mobilities is already underway: 5 students from the Department of International Economic Relations are currently in Finland.

SumDU was represented at the project meeting by:

• Alla KRASULIA (head of the International Cooperation Department, PhD in Pedagogy, associate professor at the Department of Germanic Philology);
• Tetiana MAIBORODA (deputy head of the International Relations Department, associate professor of the Oleh Balatskyi Department of Management);
• Dmytro TSYHANIUK (head of the Department for Human Resources and Staff Training);
• Oksana ZAMORA (associate professor at the Department of International Economic Relations);
• Mariia MALIZHENOVSKA (3rd year student majoring in Tourism);
• Sofia PETRENKO (4th year postgraduate student majoring in International Economic Relations).

The meeting purpose was to jointly plan the content of an online course for teachers working in the context of war, crises or emergencies. The course is being created as a response to the needs of Ukrainian teachers and students who study and teach under prolonged stress.

The meeting comprised:

• Experience exploration of wartime study and expectations;
• Discussion of courses, modules, expected results and methods of knowledge assessment;
• Discussion of topics related to distance learning, inclusion, emotional support and trauma-sensitive pedagogy.

The course will consist of 6 practical modules. It is aimed at teachers working in difficult wartime conditions. The topics include digital pedagogy, inclusive education, working with vulnerable students, art therapy, distance learning formats, strategies for self-preservation and teacher support.

Each module includes a practical assignment: from adapting crisis curricula to creating the Emergency Pedagogical Action Plan (an individual teacher’s response for emergency teaching).

Alla KRASULIA is an expert on digital pedagogy in a state of emergency. Oksana ZAMORA is an expert on non-formal teaching methods. Tetiana MAIBORODA is an expert on inclusive and multicultural education during the crisis. Dmytro TSYHANIUK is an expert on supporting professional development of teachers. In addition, a module on neurodiversity and psychosocial support will be developed in cooperation with JAMK.

The project also includes online surveys of SumDU students and teachers in summer and fall, a series of training meetings and testing of the course, and subsequently certification of teachers through the SumDU Center for Professional Development.

“This course is not just a curriculum. It is a tool for support, empathy and professional resilience. It is based on real experience of wartime teaching. As a specialist in pedagogy and digital educational technologies, I am convinced that only practically oriented, flexible solutions can provide answers to the challenges faced by Ukrainian teachers today. I highly value partnership with JAMK University of Applied Sciences (Finland), which is built on trust, equality, and sincere interest in the Ukrainian experience. This project involves not only support, but also active participation of Ukrainian teachers and students in shaping a new model of education that can withstand the most difficult circumstances. We are pleased to have joined its creation as full partners with unique experience that is highly valued in Europe today,” – says Alla KRASULIA.

The next face-to-face meeting in Finland is scheduled for December 2025. Until then, the active phase of content filling, testing and adapting will continue.