GOOD PRACTICES (Ukraine 2)
Partner references:
Partner organization: Ukrainian Distance Learning (UDL) System
Country of implementation: Ukraine
Good practice references:
Title of the good practice: Innovations and Entrepreneurship
Implementing organization: Ivan Franko National University of Lviv and Ukrainian Distance Learning (UDL) System
Responsible: Ihor Katernyak, PhD (Candidate of Physical and Mathematical Sciences), Associate Professor, the Faculty of Electronics and Computer Technologies, Ivan Franko National University of Lviv,
Link:
Period of implementation: September – December 2022 and September – December 2023
Good practice description:
A good practice to study is the course "Innovations and Entrepreneurship", which is taught at the Ivan Franko National University of Lviv in the fall semester to more than 200 students. It is interesting in that students who have become refugees in other countries not only have the opportunity to study in Franko National University of Lviv, but also that they continue to work in teams with their classmates in order to create their start-up.
Course Objectives
- help participants create the desired value, organise the innovation process;
- promote entrepreneurial mindset and behaviour, demonstration of leadership qualities;
- gain experience working in a team that will turn an idea into a business project;
- develop a product prototype and business model for one’s startup with the mentoring support from successful entrepreneurs in relevant fields;
- prepare a project concept and get an expert review;
- be able to choose a financial model for business scale-up by understanding how financial institutions work in the investment market;
- build a promotional strategy, try to establish partnerships with potential investors.
Professional area of reference
In this section, I propose to consider two stories of girls who became refugees at the beginning of the war, found an opportunity to study "Innovations and Entrepreneurship", and work in a team on strap-on projects, did internships in companies, received recognition and now want to return to Ukraine as entrepreneurs or intrepreneurs
going global -Donetsk home town - IDP in Lviv- Refugee in Ireland- Startup(Arina)
TWO SISTERS-refuges-job-recognition and why startups? (Anna)
These stories are attached to this document
Main factors of success
“Innovation and entraprenership” course, on which Arina and Anna studied and together with students from Ukraine, worked in a team on a project included: create the desired value, organise the innovation process and make a business model for a startup; gain experience working in a team that will turn an idea into product prototype; develop a business model for one’s startup with the mentoring support from successful entrepreneurs in relevant fields; prepare a project concept and get an expert opinion (assessment); be able to choose a financial model for business scale-up by understanding how financial institutions work in the investment market; build a promotional strategy, try to establish partnerships with potential investors.
Students who left Ukraine as refugees to other countries had the opportunity to continue their studies and work in a team with fellow students to develop a start-up project, gain relevant competencies and start communicating with potential partners and investors. The EU has opened the possibility for Ukrainian displaced persons to the Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs programme.
Positive impact of the practice on Ukrainian community and potential impact on the creation of bonds between the host country and Ukraine
In Ukrainian culture, there is a strong longing for one's native home and a constant desire to return to Ukraine, because home is considered the best place. However, due to the lack of job opportunities with salaries comparable to those in Europe, this connection is sometimes lost. Still, when Ukrainians go abroad, they look for opportunities to work, intern or study, like Anna did when she left Ukraine. In a short time, she gained recognition and began to play a leading role in her company's projects. As companies will look towards Ukraine to enter the market or establish production here after the war, Ukrainian people can be navigator in the process of business expansion.
Educational institutions in Ukraine, where refugees continue to study online, should actively communicate with them and involve fellow students in team projects and other initiatives where every Ukrainian can help their homeland during this difficult time of war. "How can I help?" is more than just a question; it is a need for every person who fights for freedom.Entrepreneurs programme, leading to the highest number ever of beneficiaries from Ukraine in 2022.
Input on project
Organization of an online course "Innovations and Entrepreneurship", which should consists of 7-10 topics from idea generation and startup creation, tutor support, experts and guest lecturers, a startup jam- forum for startups and an open space for talents, a mentoring program for teams that need to create MVP and want to start their own business.
Corporations that plan to participate in the reconstruction of Ukraine can also participate in this course, providing the opportunity for students to have internships and engage in intrapreneurial activities.
on December 5, 2023, International Startup Forum was organized by student teams from Franko National University of Lviv and University of Wisconsin, USA. The event took place online under the theme “We are here. We are all. We are the soil for future decisive changes,” the forum became a space for exchanging ideas, innovations, and opportunities for students from both countries.
