On 16 May 2025, the international workshop “Open Science and FAIR: Global strategies for accessibility, interoperability and information security”. The event was held in a hybrid format. The morning session in English was open to all participants, and the afternoon session was held in Ukrainian for representatives of the Ukrainian scientific community.

The workshop was held within the framework of the international project EDUC-WIDE (‘Empowering EDUC for the inclusive development of the European Research Area’) as part of Work Package 1 ‘Open Science: Analysis and Recommendations’.

The aim of the event is to facilitate the integration of Precarpathian University into the European Research Area (ERA) and to implement the principles of open science in the university’s activities. The EDUC-WIDE project, coordinated by the Acting Rector of Vasyl Stefanyk Precarpathian National University, Ihor Tsependa, is supported by the EU’s Horizon Europe programme and aims to strengthen scientific cooperation between the universities of the EDUC alliance and integrate Ukraine into the European scientific community. In particular, one of the project’s objectives is to introduce the principles of open science into the research processes and infrastructure of partner universities, which was the key topic of the workshop.

The participants were welcomed by:

– Valentyna Yakubiv, First Vice-Rector of Vasyl Stefanyk Precarpathian National University

– Volodymyr Pavlikov – Chairman of the Council of Vice-Rectors for Research of Ukrainian Higher Education Institutions

Among the speakers of the event:

– Tetiana Yaroshenko – Deputy Director for Scientific Work and International Cooperation of the State Scientific and Technical Library of Ukraine

– Lyubomyr Nykyruy – Candidate of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Head of the Department of Physics and Astronomy of the PNU

– Alžběta Karolyiová – Open Science Data Analyst, Masaryk University, Czech Republic

– Herman Strom – Research Support Coordinator, University of South-Eastern Norway

– Volodymyr Kotsiubynskyi – Professor, Project Manager, PNU-OpenLab

– Tetiana Korniienko – Junior Researcher, EDUC-WIDE project (PNU)

– Roman Dzumedzei – Director of the PNU Scientific Library

As part of the English-language session, speakers from the Czech Republic, Norway, and Ukraine discussed global approaches to implementing the principles of open science, in particular in the field of scientific journals, open data, and digital support for researchers. The Ukrainian part of the programme was dedicated to the implementation of open science in the PNU, policy-making, institutional roadmap, FAIR data, and the work of libraries.

The event contributed to the development of practical recommendations for the university, which will be taken into account when developing an open science policy and implementing infrastructures to support open research. The university will continue to actively integrate into the European Research Area, cooperating with the universities of the EDUC alliance and other international partners.

The programme of the event is available here:

https://educ.pnu.edu.ua/wp-content/uploads/sites/190/2025/05/rrogram_os_16.05.2025.docx.pdf

University of Pécs Organised by the EDUC-WIDE Consortium On 5–6 May, Ihor Yurkevych, an assistant at the Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, took part in the Genomics and Bioinformatics Workshop held at the Szentágothai János Research Centre, University of Pécs (Hungary). The event was organised under the auspices of the EDUC-WIDE consortium.

In addition to the representative from our university, the workshop gathered scientists from the University of Cagliari (Italy), Masaryk University (Czech Republic), the University of South-Eastern Norway (Norway), and the University of Pécs (Hungary).

The workshop programme covered a wide range of topics in the field of bioinformatics. Participants presented their institutions, research skills and achievements, and outlined areas of interest for future collaboration. Key discussions included roles and responsibilities in genomics laboratories, and the use of Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) for sample and project management. The first day concluded with a visit to the Hungarian Centre for Genomics and Bioinformatics, where participants learned about the latest technologies in the field.

The second day focused on operational challenges, data protection and security, staff exchange programmes, the creation of a thematic cooperation network in genomics and bioinformatics, as well as the services and revenue models of commercial genomics institutions. Representatives from the University of Pécs presented the PRECISEMED project, which focuses on genomics and biostatistics.

The event emphasised interactive, hands-on workshops, knowledge-sharing sessions, and networking opportunities aimed at addressing shared challenges, exploring innovative technologies, improving operational practices, and fostering collaboration in both research and clinical applications.

The workshop and travel expenses of participants were funded by a grant from the EDUC-WIDE consortium, which supports collaboration among research core facilities of member universities through its Knowledge Exchange Scheme.

Liliia Turovska, Associate Professor of the Department of Management and Business Administration at Vasyl Stefanyk Carpathian National University participated in the Knowledge
Exchange Scheme (KES) Workshop for Micro- and Nanotechnology, hosted by the Department of Microsystems at the University of South-Eastern Norway (USN), on May 6–7, 2025. This workshop was part of the EDUC-WIDE project funded by the Horizon Europe programme.
The event gathered representatives from Jaume I University (Spain), University of Cagliari (Italy), Masaryk University (Czech Republic), and  Vasyl Stefanyk Carpathian National University
(Ukraine) to foster collaboration and knowledge sharing in nanotechnology research and infrastructure development.
During the workshop, Liliia Turovska presented the PNU-NanoLab and the University research infrastructure, highlighting its capabilities in nanomaterials science, energy, and biomedical
applications. She contributed to discussions on:

– Safe handling of nanomaterials, sharing University’s practices and comparing them
with protocols used at USN and partner universities.
– Characterization techniques, with an exchange of tools, methods, and best approaches across institutions.
– Opportunities for international cooperation and joint research initiatives.

The participants toured USN’s state-of-the-art micro- and nanofabrication laboratories (a node of NorFab), and engaged in fruitful sessions exploring potential future research collaborations.
This visit strengthens University’s integration into the European Research Area (ERA) and supports the internationalization of our university’s research and innovation ecosystem.

On April 23, 2025, the Forum of Young Scientists’ Councils of Higher Education Institutions in the Ivano-Frankivsk Region took place under the title “Scientific Trends: The Formula for a Young Researcher’s Success.” The event was attended by members of the EDUC-WIDE project team—Professors Volodymyr Kotsiubynskyi and Volodymyra Boichuk—who presented the project’s contribution to the advancement of open science and the strengthening of research capacity within Ukraine’s higher education system.

The forum, held at Vasyl Stefanyk Carpathian National University, brought together young researchers and academic leaders to discuss current challenges in the development of science in Ukraine, the role of early-career researchers in societal transformation, and models for science-business collaboration.

One of the central themes of the event was the implementation of open science practices. During the panel discussion “Open Science: A New Research Culture,” Professor Volodymyr Kotsiubynskyi presented the achievements of the EDUC-WIDE project in integrating open science principles into research and education. He outlined key developments, including the establishment of the Open Science Center OpenLab (https://open-lab.pnu.edu.ua/), which supports the development of digital infrastructure for open research, and the institutional research data repository DataSet (https://dataset.pnu.edu.ua/), implemented on the InvenioRDM platform.

During the presentation, special emphasis was placed on the role of the EDUC-WIDE project in shaping strategic transformations for the adoption of open science at both local and national levels.

Once again, Easter comes to us in difficult times — times of trials, struggle, and great hope.
Today, Ukraine’s destiny is intertwined with pain and loss, yet also with unbreakable spirit, sincere faith in victory, and a deep longing for peace, justice, and light.

May the Glorious Resurrection of Christ become a symbol of renewal, strength, and faith for each of us.

May the Lord protect our defenders, inspire each of us to do good, and may the dawn of peace and justice rise over Ukraine as soon as possible.

Senior Research Fellow of the Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, PhD in Biology, Olha Strilbytska recently visited Masaryk University (Brno, Czech Republic) as part of an international grant project funded by the EDUC-WIDE program, supported by the European Union.

The primary goal of the EDUC-WIDE grant program is to strengthen cooperation between member institutions of the EDUC consortium and to foster the development of research infrastructures in countries such as Ukraine, the Czech Republic, and Hungary. For Dr. Strilbytska, this is more than just a professional opportunity — it is a chance to contribute meaningfully to cutting-edge research in the field of neuroscience and to deepen the global understanding of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Within the project “Analysis of post-traumatic stress disorder gene expression profiles in mice models of neuroinflammation,” Dr. Strilbytska will be able to implement the experimental component of her research thanks to access to the advanced Genomic Core Facility of Masaryk University. This institution is one of Central Europe’s leading centers for biomedical research, renowned not only for its powerful laboratory facilities but also for its commitment to fostering international scientific mobility and embracing innovative, interdisciplinary approaches.

The study will include an in-depth analysis of gene expression in mouse models of neuroinflammation, to identify genetic markers associated with the development of PTSD. This work opens the door to the development of personalized approaches to the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of PTSD — a disorder that continues to draw increasing attention from the global medical community.

Dr. Strilbytska expressed particularly warm impressions following her meeting with Dr. Boris Tichy, Head of the Genomic Core Facility — one of the most advanced scientific centers in the Czech Republic. During the meeting, they discussed current trends in biomedical research and explored opportunities for expanding cooperation between Ukrainian and Czech research institutions.

“This was an incredibly inspiring visit. Masaryk University is a truly dynamic scientific environment, where innovation and interdisciplinarity are not just buzzwords but a daily reality. Researchers and their ideas are truly valued here, and all necessary resources are available to bring even the boldest ideas to life. I would also like to sincerely thank the PhD students and staff of the Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology for their assistance in preparing the samples for analysis,” — shares Dr. Olha Strilbytska.

We extend our deep gratitude to the administration of our university and to the organizers of the EDUC-WIDE program for their support in enabling participation in this prestigious initiative. The opportunities provided are a step forward in individual professional development and a strengthening of international collaboration that brings Ukraine closer to full integration into the European scientific community.

We wish Dr. Strilbytska continued inspiration, meaningful discoveries, and success in realizing this important project!

The two-day EDUC-WIDE event hosted by the University of Cagliari officially opened on March 31st, 2025, at the CREA Meeting Room (Via Ospedale 121). The session began with a welcome address by Alessandra Carucci, Vice-Rector for International Affairs and EDUC-WIDE task leader, who greeted participants and set the tone for the discussions ahead.
The introduction to the two-day work started with a presentation of the provisional project ranking of the Seed Projects, based on consensus reports, budget constraints, and the involvement of EDUC-WIDE partners. Also, members of the SPEP panel shared their evaluations, highlighting key strengths and weaknesses of the projects with strong funding potential.
On April 1st, the discussions resumed with a round table dedicated to potential budget redistribution among Seed Projects and the SPEP panel finalized the project ranking during the concluding discussion session.
Professor Volodymyr Kotsiubynskyi and Associate Professor Iryna Piatnychuk took part in the event, contributing their expertise to the project evaluations and discussions.  

First Vice-Rector Valentyna Yakubiv and Head of the Research Department Iryna Hryhoruk participated in the 45th meeting of the EDUC Steering Committee, held at Jaume I University (Castellón de la Plana, Spain).

During the meeting, participants reviewed the outcomes of joint projects, shared experiences with partners, and explored new opportunities for further collaboration.

Special attention was given to strategies for the digital transformation of universities, the expansion of educational opportunities for students and faculty, and the development of new initiatives within the EDUC alliance.

Collaboration on international projects creates even greater opportunities for PNU to integrate into the European educational space and advanced digital education!

On this special day, let’s celebrate the brilliance, resilience, and achievements of women and girls in science.

Throughout history, women have made groundbreaking discoveriesтand paved the way for future generations. Today, we honor their contributions and encourage young minds to dream big, stay curious, and never stop questioning the world around them.