During the event, Dr. Heschl and Dr. Andreichenko presented the Promoting Academic Freedom in Ukraine (FreeAc) (2023-1-AT01-KA220-HED-000164930) project, aimed at supporting academic freedom in Ukraine, facilitating the integration of displaced scholars into the European academic space, and enhancing Ukrainian universities' engagement in international collaboration. Participating in the event helped spread awareness about the project, share its main goals, and connect with new colleagues. It also created opportunities to discuss future cooperation, especially involving experts in project activities. Significantly, the event enabled the engagement of scholars willing to deliver guest lectures and conduct workshops for Ukrainian partner universities, thus contributing to the enhancement of the academic environment and promoting cross-border scholarly exchange.
The event program included panel discussions, group sessions, and an exchange of experiences on the following topics:
- Responsible internationalization in the context of current geopolitical challenges.
- Safeguarding academic freedom as a fundamental principle of higher education and research collaboration.
- Institutional support for scholars at risk.
- Upholding academic values, freedom, and integrity in international partnerships.
Staff Training Week served as an essential platform for strengthening responsible international cooperation, fostering academic solidarity, and seeking effective solutions to support scholars in crisis situations.