INTEGRATING ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE INTO UKRAINE’S HIGHER EDUCATION
On December 10, 2024, Associate Professor Nataliia Mahas had the unique opportunity to attend a lecture by Professor Rose Luckin, an honorary professor at University College London. The lecture, titled “Strengthening Ukrainian Higher Education: Navigating the AI Revolution in Teaching and Learning,” addressed highly relevant issues for the Ukrainian academic community.
Professor Luckin’s presentation focused on developing strategies for implementing artificial intelligence (AI) in the educational process and creating effective management models tailored to the current challenges and needs of Ukraine’s higher education system. A key aspect of the discussion was the adaptation of educational technologies to the unique circumstances Ukraine faces due to ongoing military conflict. AI was explored not only as a tool for automation but also as a means of ensuring accessibility and improving the quality of education, especially in the realm of inclusive learning.
The lecture sparked great interest among attendees, as integrating innovative technologies into teaching and learning is becoming increasingly critical in the era of digital transformation. Universities must adapt to the changes driven by the rapid advancement of AI while maintaining academic autonomy and prioritizing student needs. Particularly significant are issues such as the ethical use of artificial intelligence, preparing educators to work with new technologies, and supporting students as they navigate a digitally enhanced learning environment.
Professor Luckin’s expertise in developing strategies for AI implementation in educational institutions holds immense value for Ukraine as it strives to modernize its education system. Faced with these challenges, Ukrainian universities must not only adopt cutting-edge technologies but also create a clear vision for the future, where artificial intelligence becomes an integral part of the educational landscape, fostering innovation, inclusion, and sustainable development.
Associate Professor Nataliia Mahas’s participation in this event highlights the strong interest of Ukrainian academics in adopting advanced technologies, which will lay the foundation for building a competitive and flexible higher education system in Ukraine. This step is crucial not only for advancing educational practices but also for shaping new approaches to management, teaching, and learning in the context of global challenges.
OPENING NEW HORIZONS: PRESENTATION OF THE COLLECTIVE MONOGRAPH
An important event took place at the Department of Foreign Languages, Vasyl Stefanyk Precarpathian National University, opening new horizons in social and humanitarian research. The presentation of the collective monograph “Social-Humanitarian Discourse: Current Issues and Practical Aspects,” published by the department’s team under the editorship of the department head Vasyl Tkachivsky and Associate Professor Alla Boichuk, marked a significant milestone in discussing contemporary challenges and trends in this field.
The monograph, published in both Ukrainian and English, consists of three main sections, each dedicated to significant aspects of social-humanitarian sciences. This comprehensive approach allows readers to gain a deeper understanding not only of theoretical but also practical aspects of current research in pedagogy, philology, literary studies, and philosophy.
The presentation of this monograph was a notable event that attracted the attention of scholars, educators, and students. This publication not only represents a thorough analysis of social-humanitarian issues but also opens up new opportunities for interdisciplinary research and the practical application of theoretical knowledge. The authors’ team is grateful to all who supported this project and hopes that readers will find valuable ideas and insights for further research and practical activity in the monograph.
We invite everyone to actively participate in the discussion and analysis of the topics presented in the monograph, as only together can we create new knowledge horizons and influence the development of social-humanitarian sciences.
The team of authors was delighted to donate their book to the collections of the Scientific Library of Vasyl Stefanyk Precarpathian National University.Facebook
MY EMBROIDERED UKRAINE
The Department of Foreign Languages at Vasyl Stefanyk Precarpathian National University actively supports academic initiatives aimed at the development of science and culture. This year, the department’s faculty participated in the V International Scientific and Practical Conference “My Embroidered Ukraine: The Ethnocultural and Educational Potential of Ukrainian Embroidery,” held in a mixed format. The conference was organized to celebrate World Embroidery Day and brought together researchers and scholars from around the world.
The main goal of the conference was to explore the role of embroidery as a cultural phenomenon and its impact on modern society. Faculty members presented their research focused on intercultural dialogue and the role of embroidery in strengthening national identity. They gave presentations that discussed embroidery not only as a clothing element but also as a symbol of cultural heritage and a means of communication between nations.
The conference also featured thematic embroidery exhibitions, where participants could view unique exhibits and discuss the significance of embroidery in the context of contemporary art. Participation in the “My Embroidered Ukraine” conference was a significant event for the Department of Foreign Languages faculty. They were able to share their research and enrich their own experiences with new knowledge and contacts. This will contribute to the further development of intercultural dialogue and the deepening of academic connections at the international level.
FINAL SCIENTIFIC REPORT CONFERENCE
On April 2, the Department of Foreign Languages hosted a reporting scientific conference as part of the annual reporting scientific conference for teachers, doctoral students, graduate students, and students of the university. During the plenary session, faculty members and scientific and pedagogical staff of the department delivered presentations. All presentations shared a common theme related to the learning of foreign languages within the scope of professional communication, covering linguistic, literary, and psychological-pedagogical aspects. Each presenter addressed significant contemporary issues and introduced innovative concepts, sparking both interest and positive reactions from the audience. The conference program included reports from all participating teachers, and there ensued an active discussion of the topics presented. We can confidently affirm that the conference significantly contributed to the growing interest in the advancement of scientific inquiry!
PRESENTATION OF THE UKRAINIAN-GERMAN-AUSTRIAN COLLECTIVE MONOGRAPH
The annual Leipzig Book Fair took place from March 21 to 24. This year, there was a presentation of a collective Ukrainian-German-Austrian monograph «Ukrainisch – Zur Emanzipation einer Sprache», co-authored by the head of the department of foreign languages Vasyl Tkachivskyi and the head of the department of foreign languages and translation Maria Tkachivska.
The Ukrainian language boasts a rich and tumultuous history, influenced by its varying state affiliations which have either encouraged or suppressed its use. In this volume, Ukrainian, German, and Austrian authors explore significant milestones in the development of the Ukrainian language as an official, educational, and literary medium. They also delve into the role of the Ukrainian language in contemporary discourses. Against the backdrop of Ukraine’s political landscape since 2014, the authors examine language policy decisions and their effects on society and individual lives. Written in multiple languages, this book is designed not only for academics and students but also for anyone interested in the topic of language emancipation.
“Visitor to the exhibition actively purchase Ukrainian books and participate in events: queues stretch long near the displays, and the halls are filled to capacity with no free seats available. Among the attendees, there are numerous representatives from Germany, receiving our presentations with hearty applause and looks of admirations. In halls dedicated to Ukraine, a warm reception is invariably given. Voices of support and solidarity resound throughout! Thanks to the collaborative efforts of our German partners, the works of Ukrainian publishers are also showcased at the Leipzig Book Fair. In the context of russia’s war against Ukraine, it becomes critically important to share our story with the world, highlighting our culture and literature. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the city of Leipzig for sponsoring Ukraine’s participation, and to the Leipzig Book Fair organizers for generously providing booth space and necessary equipment. Our sincer thanks go to the publishing house ‘Frank&Timme’ and the entire author team the monograph for their invaluable contribution to Ukraine’s cause.”– words of gratitude from Vasyl Tkachivskyi and Maria Tkachivska.
Round Table
JOINT WORK ON A LESSON/PROJECT: COOPERATION, COLLABORATION AND TEAM-TEACHING
On November 1, 2023, a round table was held in the СO(I)-31 group on the topic “Joint Work on a Lesson/Project: Cooperation, Collaboration and Team-teaching. (Worksheets to promote Ukraine – The Precarpathian region)” on the methodology of teaching English (specialty “Secondary education (Informatics)”, Assoc. Nataliia Mahas. The project method aims at a comprehensive and systematic study of the problem and the development of a specific final product; it involves obtaining a practical result, and not only the search for certain information. The project is primarily the result of the collective efforts of the performers, therefore, at the final stage of the activity, it involves a reflection of the joint work, an analysis of its completeness, depth, information provision, creative contribution of each participant. Thus, the students studied one of the teaching methods of a foreign language, as well as in practice developed projects based on the example of popularizing our region. One of the tasks was to create a legend of the native land in English (or use an existing one) and present it for discussion in the group. According to the plan, the legend will help in advertising tourism in the region. It is worth noting , that the result of the joint project was a discussion and evaluation of the students’ work, identification of the shortcomings of the activity and discussion of ways to overcome them.
Feedback from the students:
«In my opinion, the project teaches us responsibility. This work is a good experience both for me and for others in our future teaching profession».«This project caused me many positive emotions. Very pleased with the teamwork of the hash group and the personal analysis of the topics provided. Such projects help in learning and bring people together. I hope that we will carry out more projects. Thanks to everyone for my learning experience, which I will use with the students in the future».«This project made us more friendly, taught us to work together, take into account the opinion of others, help each other. Personally, I liked this project, because it is an opportunity to try my skills in something new, which we have not yet experienced».«I liked working together with the teacher and groupmates for the sake of the project and gaining new knowledge. It is clear that getting a good result is possible only after studying the sources and selecting the main one. We also had the opportunity to help each other, taking into account the teacher’s wishes and to show our creative abilities. It is useful for my future profession».«For me, project work is not only an opportunity to deepen knowledge. This is the experience of working in a team, the ability to create and edit tasks in a new space, which is very important. After all, our time is the heyday of the evolution of technology, and, at the same time, an era of contradictions. Therefore, the most important feature of our activity is the development of the ability to analyze information in English and use the acquired knowledge in the future profession».
History of Fytkiv: a Resillient Village
The Legend of the City of Yaremche
The Legend of the Village of Uhornyky
Lecture: Science First Hand
GERMAN-SPEAKING CREATIVITY AND GERMAN TRANSLATIONS OF THE IVAN FRANKO’S WORKS
On October 24, 2023, the head of the Department of Foreign Languages presented a lecture on “German-language creativity and German-language translations of Ivan Franko’s works.” The event was organized by the German-Ukrainian Academic Society in cooperation with the Embassy of Ukraine in the Federal Republic of Germany. Summary of the report: Every year at the beginning of October, the winners of the Nobel Prize are determined. Did you know that Ivan Franko was also a candidate for this prestigious award in 1915? The German language in Franko’s life and work, its influence on the writer creativity, his work in “hire from neighbors”, Franko’s works written in German, as well as translated and published in various Austrian and German sources are analyzed in the report. Special attention is paid to the analysis of the translation of the story “For the Home Hearth”, translated from Polish into German by Felicia Pruhnikova, as well as an unknown letter from Franko in German, found in the Vienna archive in 1995.
Round Table
SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP & PARTNERSHIP IN MY REGION
On October 18, 2023, a round table on the topic “Sole Proprietorship & Partnership in my Region” was held in the ПУА-11 group (Public Management and Administration, Associate Professor Alla Boychuk). The participants of the round table, students of the group, had the opportunity to listen to the reports of the group mates on topics related to the organization of business in the Ivano-Frankivsk region, namely such types as sole private property and partnership.
It is worth noting that Public management and administration is a field related to the solution of strategic tasks of state bodies, enterprises, institutions and organizations, taking into account the complex of external and internal factors of influence and development trends in a specific environment, as well as in a certain field of social production and the state as a whole. Therefore, it is very important that future specialists in the field of public management and administration, like no one else, are knowledgeable in matters of business organization, possess management and communication skills. Discussion of reports in English provides an opportunity to develop critical thinking, interpersonal communication skills, the art of public speaking, to realize one’s potential, to solve intellectual tasks with the help of one’s own creativity.
Business Association Ivano-Frankivsk
Lumiere The history of the oldest cinema in Ivano-Frankivsk
Round Table
HOW HAS THE WAR IN UKRAINE CHANGED THE ECOSYSTEM OF THE COUNTRY?
Ukraine’s environment – the “silent victim” of war with russia
Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant
On May 17, 2023, a round table was held to discuss environmental problems in Ukraine caused by the war. In addition to the thousands of deaths and the destruction of critical infrastructure, another, more invisible crisis associated with the Russian invasion could haunt Ukraine for years – environmental damage. From shelling of chemical plants to forests burned by rockets, the consequences will be felt not only by the ecosystems of Ukraine, but also by its people.
That is why associate professors of the department, Oksana Tytun and Halyna Sivkovich, organized a scientific round table for students of the “Forestry” specialty to discuss urgent issues of ecology in Ukraine. In the course of preparing for the round table, the students processed the literature and conducted research on the topics “Impact of the war on the soils of Ukraine”, “Impact of the war on the water resources of Ukraine”, “Impact of the war on the forests of Ukraine”, and also investigated the situation at the Chernobyl and Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plants.
A separate issue was the report “Biosphere reserve “Askania-Nova”, which is temporarily under the control of the Russian occupiers, because of which it found itself in a difficult situation.
Scientific and methodical seminar
MODERN APPROACHES TO TEACHING A FOREIGN LANGUAGE IN THE CONDITIONS OF WAR IN UKRAINE
On March 8, 2023, the scientific and methodological seminar “Modern approaches to teaching a foreign language in the conditions of war in Ukraine” was held.
The first issue for discussion was the methods and techniques of teaching a foreign language. Innovations became especially relevant with the beginning of a large-scale war unleashed by the Russian Federation on the territory of Ukraine, when it became vital to make quick, non-standard, essentially innovative decisions. Teaching a foreign language in the conditions of martial law is characterized by an intensive search for new approaches to learning, innovative forms of organization of the educational process, effective pedagogical and information technologies.
It is worth noting that in this difficult time, the management of our university and the teachers themselves have become more active in the search for ways to solve problems in the organization of education for students. In our university, computer and Internet technologies are widely implemented and used in the educational process, which represent not only modern technical means, but also new approaches to the educational process. One of the main approaches is the distinction between synchronous and asynchronous learning. Synchronous learning takes place in real time (for example, a “live” online class with a teacher and students), while asynchronous learning can be performed by students at any time using the PNU distance learning site.
Scientific symposium
BRÜCHE UND KONTINUITÄTEN
The head of the Department of Foreign Languages Vasyl Tkachivskyi took part in the symposium “Brüche und Kontinuitäten – Fachübergreifende Perspektiven auf die Situation der Germanistik und angrenzender Fachbereiche in der Ukraine”.
The event took place in a picturesque place – Herrenhausen Castle in Hanover (Germany) and took place within the framework of the thematic week: “War in Ukraine – the perspectives of science” 28.02 – 02.03 2023 and was organized with the support of Universität Leipzig, Fridrich-Schiller Universität Jena and Volkswagen Stiftung . Leading scientists from Germany, Ukraine and a number of countries of the European Union took part in the scientific event, presented their relevant reports and exchanged experiences in the framework of the popularization of German studies in Ukraine.
Scientific and methodical seminar
SPEAKING YOUR MIND HOW YOU SPEAK TIME. HOW DIGITAL TOOLS IMPROVE EXAM SUCCESS
On January 27 and 28, 2022, teachers of the Department of Foreign Languages took part in the seminars “Speaking your mind how you speak time” and “How digital tools improve exam success”, which were held on the Zoom platform. The experience of using information technologies in foreign language classes was shared by teacher (CELTA and DELTA classifications), methodologist and language exam examiner Chris Kirby, who taught English and conducted professional development trainings in six countries. The seminar was held through the mediation of the academic consultant of DInternal Education (Pearson) Iryna Karamysheva. Participants of the seminar received certificates.
III All-Ukrainian scientific and practical conference
CURRENT PROBLEMS OF LINGUISTICS, LITERATURE AND TRANSLATION
On April 8, 2021, the 3rd All-Ukrainian Scientific and Practical Conference “Actual Problems of Linguistics, Literary Studies and Translation Studies” was held. Its organizers were the Department of Foreign Languages and Translation of the Faculty of History, Political Science and International Relations, the University-wide Department of Foreign Languages, and the Department of Ukrainian Literature of the Faculty of Philology of the Carpathian University. Co-organizers are the Ivano-Frankivsk National Technical University of Oil and Gas, the Yuriy Fedkovich Chernivtsi National University, the M. P. Drahomanov National Pedagogical University, and the NGO “European Education and Science in Ukraine” (Kyiv). The event was held online.
The conference was opened by the Rector of Prykarpattia University, Doctor of Political Sciences, Professor Ihor Tsependa and representatives of the co-organizers. The moderator of the conference was the head of the department of foreign languages and translation, assistant professor Maria Tkachivska.
The conference was attended by 150 scientists from different parts of Ukraine and the world, in particular from China, the USA, Spain, and Hungary. The conference was interesting and useful for all its participants. At the plenary and sectional meetings, scientists held lively discussions on current problems of linguistics, literary studies, and translation studies. The scientific community had the opportunity to listen to the reports of famous scientists – doctor of philological sciences, professor of the National Pedagogical University named after M.P. Drahomanov Svitlana Ivanenko (Kyiv), head of the German, general and comparative linguistics department of the faculty of foreign languages of the Yuriy Fedkovich National University of Chernivtsi Svitlana Kiyko and Doctor of Philology, Associate Professor of the Ivan Franko National University of Lviv Khrystyna Diakiv.
Conference proceedings 04/08/2021
International scientific and practical conference
CURRENT PROBLEMS OF LINGUISTICS, LITERATURE AND TRANSLATION
On May 17-18, 2019, the teachers of the department took part in the international scientific and practical conference “Current problems of linguistics, literary studies and translation studies”. The Department of Foreign Languages was also a co-organizer of the conference.
At the plenary session, Doctor of Philology, Professor, Head of the Department of Ukrainian Literature of the Prykarpattia National University named after Vasyl Stefanyk Khorob Stepan Ivanovych and guests of the university: Doctor of Philology, Professor, Head of the Department of Theory and Practice of Translation of the Chernivtsi National University named after Yuryi Fedkovicha Vasyl Dmytrovych Bialyk, doctor of philological sciences, professor, head of the department of English philology of the East European National University named after Lesya Ukrainka Ushchyna Valentina Anatoliivna and doctor of philological sciences, professor of the National Pedagogical University named after M.P. Drahomanova Ivanenko Svitlana Maryanivna. The guest and interesting speaker was university graduate Svitlana Duhovich, who currently lives and works as a translator and journalist in Rome. The panelists discussed the difficulties of translation, the role of the translator’s individuality, and the peculiarities of translating texts with taboo vocabulary.