On 19–23 October 2026, the E³UDRES² Autumn Summit 2026 took place in Riga and Valmiera, Latvia, hosted by Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences (ViA). The event brought together university leaders, coordinators, project managers, researchers, students and partners of the E³UDRES² alliance under the theme “Learning for Challenging Times”.

The focus was on the role of universities in finding answers to today’s challenges, developing innovative education and strengthening ties with regions and communities.

Sumy State University, an associated partner of the E³UDRES² alliance since 2024, was represented by Rector Vasyl KARPUSHA, Head of the International Relations Office (IRO) Alla KRASULIA, and Deputy Head of the IRO Tetyana MAYBORODA. For the SumDU team, the summit was a chance to join the European academic dialogue, present the university’s own experience and outline new prospects for cooperation with the alliance partners.

Riga, 19–20 October: Innovation, Critical Thinking and Countering Disinformation

The first part of the summit was the international conference “Learning for Challenging Times”. Its programme combined parallel sessions, workshops, panel discussions and a hackathon on evidence-based educational innovation and challenge-based learning. The topic presented by the SumDU team, critical thinking and countering disinformation in the academic environment, drew particular attention from participants. Tetyana MAYBORODA, who also leads the Think Tank “Research of Fakes and Propaganda in Russian Science”, received the award for the Most Inspiring Contribution to the conference for her presentation and workshop “The Importance of Critical Thinking: A Case of Russian Propaganda in the Academic Sphere”. The research raised important questions of academic integrity, information security and the responsibility of the scientific community for the reliability of information. These challenges today reach far beyond Ukraine.

Valmiera, 21–23 October: Strategic Priorities and Regional Engagement

The summit then continued on the campus of Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences in Valmiera with the General Assembly, working meetings and discussions on the alliance’s development and engagement with communities. The conference in Riga centred on exchanging ideas and educational practices. The meetings in Valmiera moved on to strategic priorities and concrete formats for further cooperation. A separate session was held for associated partners, where the SumDU team presented its implemented initiatives, current involvement in E³UDRES² and its vision for further engagement. The key message of the presentation was SumDU’s readiness to take part in joint initiatives and to act as an active co-creator of new ideas, projects and solutions for the alliance’s development.

These ambitions rest on an established network of partnerships and practical experience of working together. SumDU has signed six bilateral agreements with E³UDRES² member universities: Jamk University of Applied Sciences (Finland), Fulda University of Applied Sciences (Germany), USTP – University of Applied Sciences St. Pölten (Austria), Politehnica University of Timișoara (Romania), Saxion University of Applied Sciences (the Netherlands) and Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences (Latvia).

Within these agreements, SumDU and its partners already run staff and student academic mobility, conduct joint research and carry out a range of other joint projects. The partnership with E³UDRES² thus already goes beyond formal agreements and creates space for sharing knowledge and experience and for jointly searching for innovative solutions.

At the same time, this cooperation rests on shared values and a common understanding of the university’s social mission, as SumDU Rector Vasyl KARPUSHA emphasised:

“E³UDRES² unites engaged and entrepreneurial universities that work closely with their regions and stakeholders for a sustainable Europe. These values are very close to Sumy State University’s own philosophy. As a city-forming institution, SumDU has always been an active driver of development in Sumy, the Sumy region and Ukraine as a whole. Being part of this community gives us partners who share our vision and the opportunity to build the future of our region, Ukraine and Europe together. We are especially grateful to Latvia, a country that has steadfastly supported Ukraine in its defence against Russian aggression since the very first day. The warmth and solidarity we felt in Riga and Valmiera, and from the entire E³UDRES² community, give us strength, inspire new joint initiatives and encourage us to keep developing our partnership,” said Rector Vasyl KARPUSHA.

Shared values, mutual support and a readiness to act together give this partnership special significance for SumDU, which continues to develop education, research and international cooperation during the full-scale war.

Participation in E³UDRES² has once again confirmed SumDU’s active integration into the European Higher Education Area. It opens new opportunities for academic mobility, joint research and educational initiatives, and strengthens the role of a Ukrainian university in shaping the future of European higher education.

Sumy State University sincerely thanks Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences and all E³UDRES² partners for their hospitality and productive cooperation. Paldies!