The annual TURBO 2025 conference, ‘Higher Education, Capacity Building and Social Crises: International Perspectives’, took place on 22–24 September 2025 at Kozminski University in Poland. The event brought together leading academics and practitioners and provided a platform for discussing how universities can adapt to uncertainty, enhance resilience and foster social transformation in times of crisis.
Organised as part of the TURBO project ‘Universities’ response to major challenges: building resilient higher education to respond to and manage societal crises’ (Project: 101129315-TURBO-Erasmus-EDU-2023-CBHE, funded by the European Union), the conference brought together teams from partner universities to exchange experiences, present innovative practices and explore new models for the role of higher education in addressing societal challenges.
Participants discussed key topics, including the role of universities in post-crisis recovery, international cooperation, risk management strategies, and the reskilling of internally displaced persons and migrants. Young Scholar Track presented research by PhD students and early-career researchers, contributing to the new generation’s role in shaping resilient educational systems.
Chernihiv Polytechnic National University was represented at the conference by:
- Maksom Katerynaьомthe Head of the Department of Social Work, the university’s project coordinator, attended the Steering Committee meeting;
- Nahorna Nadiathe Dean of the Faculty of Social Technologies, Health and Rehabilitation presented a study “Students’ Awareness of Social Entrepreneurship as a Tool for Social Reintegration in Crisis Conditions”;
- Dmytro MekhedAssociate Professor in the Department of Cybersecurity and Mathematical Modelling, presented his research “Integrating Digital and Natural Science Components in Universities as a Strategy for Recovery and Development”;
- Mykola Zlobina postgraduate student, took part in Young Scholar Track in research “Integrating Digital and Natural Science Components in Universities as a Strategy for Recovery and Development”.
Researchers from Chernihiv Polytechnic National University also played an active part in the online sessions:
- Kholiavko NataliiaAn associate professor in the Department of Finance, Banking and Insurance chaired the session and presented the research “Model of the Post-War Recovery of Border Universities of Ukraine in the Digitalization Era under the Sustainable Development Concept”;
- Verbytska Annaan associate professor in the Department of Social Work, gave a presentation “Enhancing Social Cohesion through Participatory Model”;
- Volodymyr BazylevychевичHead of Educational-Scientific Institute of Electronic and Information Technologies “Predictive Analytics Models for Academic Risk Management in Ukrainian Universities”.
The conference highlighted the key role of higher education in strengthening resilience, promoting sustainable recovery and expanding international partnerships. Its outcomes contribute not only to academic research but also to the development of practical strategies for universities worldwide in addressing societal crises.
Read Kateryna Maksom’s article reflecting on the conference and its significance: Kateryna’s university has been hit by bombs three times – still teaching.
The aim of the TURBO project, ‘Universities’ Response to Major Challenges: Building Resilient Higher Education to Respond to and Manage Societal Crises’ (101129315-TURBO-Erasmus-EDU-2023-CBHE) is to enhance the resilience, preparedness, and responsiveness of Ukrainian higher education institutions through capacity building, skills development, and knowledge exchange."
This project has received funding from the European Union (ERASMUS-EDU-2023-CBHE) under з Грантовою угодою № 101129315. This material reflects only the views of the authors and does not necessarily reflect the official position of the European Union.
#TurboProjectEU
