The Experience of the Prague University of Natural Sciences in the Implementation of the Third Mission
The exchange of valuable experience regarding the implementation and deepening of the third mission of universities as part of the implementation of the EU Erasmus+ project "Strengthening cooperation between universities and communities (UNICOM)" continues.
This time the participants of the project were sincerely and hospitably welcomed by the great Prague. From October 2 to 6, 2023, Olga Bratkova and Larisa Vakolyuk, associate professors of the Department of General Hygiene and Ecology and members of the UNICOM project working group, visited the Czech University of Natural Sciences in Prague (Czech Republic).
The team of Hejnik Roubic, the project coordinator, turned out to be young, progressive and very friendly! Everyone tried to contribute to conveying the results of cooperation and making dynamic positive changes in the relationship between their HEI and general public to the Ukrainian colleagues who took part in the event. Everyone tried to be useful for the further implementation, development and dissemination of project ideas in Ukraine, passing on their experience. The researchers are proud of the achievements and scientific assets of their institution of higher education and for three days in a row did not get tired of showing the guests the locations of working areas, laboratories and recreation areas, furnished with great love, and conducting tours around the university.
A broad program was prepared for the comprehensive disclosure of the ideas and achievements of Czech colleagues for the project participants who visited the Czech University of Natural Sciences as part of a study visit. "The third role of the Czech University of Natural Sciences is an important aspect of the university's mission, helping to connect the academic community with the wider society and contributing to the sustainable development of the region" - from the speech of Associate Professor Hejnik Roubik. The presentations shed light on how universities can serve as catalysts for positive change in communities and beyond. Czech colleagues shared their experience of practical ways to implement the third mission.
In particular, from a practical point of view, various ways to strengthen the third mission of universities were considered. For example, encouraging entrepreneurship and innovation, as universities can play a key role in promoting entrepreneurship by providing support and resources for students and staff interested in starting their own businesses. The commercialization of research also plays not the least role, in this context, universities can strengthen their third mission, seeking to commercialize their research results. This could include filing patents, licensing technology to industry partners, or even starting your own spin-off company. By commercializing research, universities can help bring new products and services to market, contributing to regional economic development.
The existing barriers that hinder the third role of universities in Ukraine and ways to overcome them were also discussed: lack of funding, bureaucracy, lack of industrial demand, limited research infrastructure and entrepreneurial culture, "brain drain". In general, strengthening the third role of universities requires a proactive approach that involves building partnerships, creating programs to encourage entrepreneurship and innovation, and commercializing research.
Along with this, other areas that require careful attention and development were highlighted: universities as initiators of global changes, broad inclusion and involvement of communities, European cultural studies and intercultural communication, EU values: diversity in development together; intercultural dialogue, social cohesion and community security. The participants of the event paid special attention to the implementation practices of cooperation between European universities and communities. We determined the modern values of the EU and the diversity of the development of communities, which influence the activities of universities on the example of the Czech University of Natural Sciences in Prague and Ukrainian universities.
Participation in the event contributed to awareness of the idea that universities have an obligation to interact with the community and contribute to social and economic development.
In addition, it was a great opportunity to exchange the experience of experts from different countries regarding the peculiarities of European practices in the field of social cohesion, intercultural dialogue, ideas of social innovation and principles of community involvement for sustainable development of society.
The study visit gave an understanding of the priority of accelerating the process of structural reforms of the Ukrainian educational system by creating a national leadership of social responsibility and involving university communities to strengthen cooperation between universities and communities, increase sustainability, inclusiveness and social cohesion in Ukraine, create funding mechanisms that will encourage universities to participate in the third mission.
Universities can enhance their third mission by engaging the wider community. This may include holding public lectures and workshops, providing consulting services to local residents, businesses, and nonprofit organizations, or creating programs that provide educational opportunities for community members.
At the end of the study visit, the participants had the opportunity to gain another interesting experience for themselves - to join the international interdisciplinary conference of young researchers, which was organized by the Faculty of Tropical Agrarian Sciences of the Czech University of Natural Sciences in Prague. Within the framework of the conference, it was possible to get acquainted with the specifics of the organization of such events in universities with a non-medical direction of education, to draw interesting conclusions and pick up ideas that can be implemented in the future within the framework of our university.
The visit significantly helped to understand the importance of the third mission in the work of universities and will be the basis for the future strengthening of this role of our university through joint efforts.
Member of the UNICOM project working group
Olga Bratkova