INTERNATIONALISATION STRATEGY

INTERNATIONALISATION STRATEGY
of Vasyl Stefanyk Carpathian National University

2026-2030

I. INTRODUCTION
Internationalisation at Vasyl Stefanyk Carpathian National University is not a separate activity but a core strategic philosophy shaping the University’s development in the context of global competition, war, and the transformation of the European Higher As an active participant in the academic space of the Carpathian region, the University assumes the mission of developing:
 European standards of education
 An innovative research ecosystem
 Cross-border partnerships
 An open intercultural environment
 A centre of international dialogue for Central Europe

This Strategy defines the mission, vision, goals, indicators, priorities, and mechanisms of the University's internationalisation for 2026-2030, as well as its role in shaping the European Knowledge Area.

ІІ. MISSION OF INTERNATIONALISATION
To build an open, safe, and innovative European university in the heart of the Carpathian region that ensures global mobility, international research cooperation, and a platform for intercultural dialogue among young people of Central Europe.
III. VISION, MISSION, VALUES
By 2030, the University will be:
 A key academic and research-innovation hub of the Carpathian macro-region of Europe, combining educational, research, innovation, and social missions with active participation in shaping sustainable development policies, interregional cooperation, and Ukraine’s European integration;
 Consistently represented in regional and thematic international rankings;
 A university implementing joint European programmes with universities in Poland, Slovenia, the United Kingdom, the Czech Republic, Romania, Hungary, Slovakia, Germany, France, Italy, as well as the United States and Türkiye;

 A European hub of youth and scientific diplomacy and cross-border cooperation – “Carpathian Dialogue”; (International Youth Meeting Centre of Ukraine and the Republic of Poland in Mykulychyn);
 The International Research Centre “Observatory”; on Mount Pip Ivan – one of the most powerful high-altitude research centres in Central Europe;
 The University Astronomical Observatory – a new centre of astronomical research for Ukraine, Europe, and the world, equipped with state-of-the-art technology;
 A deep-tech innovation platform based on the Science Park;
 A university successfully implementing safe and flexible international mobility
programmes through the International Youth Meeting Centre in Mykulychyn.

STRATEGIC GOALS OF INTERNATIONALISATION (7 GOALS)

GOAL 1. INTEGRATION INTO GLOBAL RANKINGS AND ENHANCEMENT OF INTERNATIONAL VISIBILITY KPI:
KPI:
 Entry into QS EECA University Rankings – by 2028
 Submission of an application to QS World University Rankings – by 2028
 Improvement of positions in THE World University Rankings by 5%
 Increase in Scopus citation rates by 10-20%

GOAL 2 DEVELOPMENT OF INTERNATIONAL ACADEMIC MOBILITY
KPI:
 increase in the number of international students;
 increase of outgoing mobility by 50%;
 12-15 BIP (Blended Intensive Programmes);
 mobility through the International Centre for Meetings of Student Youth of Ukraine and the Republic of Poland in Mykulychyn – 200 participants.

GOAL 3 DEEPENING COOPERATION WITH EU UNIVERSITIES
KPI:

 8-10 active agreements with EU universities;
 2 double or joint degree programmes;

 2 joint projects with consortium partners (EDUC, UNIVERSEN, Collegium Carpathicum).

GOAL 4 INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC INTEGRATION AND HORIZON EUROPE
KPI:
 8-12 international projects by 2030;
 increase in international co-authored publications by 10%;
 participation in 2-3 stable international consortia;
 participation in 1 new consortium.

GOAL 5 DEVELOPMENT OF INTERNATIONALISATION AT HOME
KPI:
 2% of courses taught in English by 2030;
 15-20 visiting international professors;
 COIL programmes at each faculty;
 implementation of joint online courses.

GOAL 6 DEVELOPMENT OF INTERNATIONAL COMMUNICATION AND BRANDING
KPI:
 multilingual university website;
 at least one international conference (with a foreign co-organiser) at each faculty of the university;
 media presence in national and international sources;
 European style of external communication.
Achievement of the university’s strategic goals is carried out taking into account the principles of ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance), which integrate environmental responsibility, social sustainability, and quality governance into all areas of university activity. This approach ensures the long-term institutional capacity of the university, increases stakeholder trust, and aligns with European governance standards in higher education and research.

GOAL 7 DEVELOPMENT OF FLAGSHIP INTERNATIONAL CENTRES
1. International Research Centre "Observatory" on Mount Pip Ivan
KPI: 3 international expeditions

2. International Centre for Meetings of Student Youth of Ukraine and the Republic of Poland in Mykulychyn
KPI: 200 participants

3. Astronomical Observatory of the University
KPI: 5-10 new partners, 1-3 joint grants, creation of a new telescope complex, creation of a planetarium, creation of a museum of astronomy

VI. MECHANISMS FOR STRATEGY IMPLEMENTATION
1. Operational Governance Model
 Academic Council – strategic supervision
 Vice-Rector for Research, Teaching, and International Activities – coordination
 International Relations Office – mobility, partnerships, communication
 Faculty coordinators – local implementation

VII. PRIORITY GEOGRAPHICAL AREAS OF COOPERATION
1. European Union
 Poland – key partner and main academic bridge
 Slovenia, Czech Republic, Germany, France, Italy
2. United Kingdom (strategic partnership outside the EU)
 University of East Anglia (UEA) – key partner within the UK-Ukraine
Twinning Initiative, strategic partner for the development of entrepreneurial education, innovation, and institutional capacity.
3. North America: cooperation in the fields of security, psychology, IT, and space technologies.

VIIІ. INTERNATIONALISATION AT HOME
 English-language programmes, certificates, micro-credentials
 international campus in Mykulychyn

 intercultural studies
 international lecturers
 joint courses with European universities

IX. ROADMAP 2026 – 2030
2026
 multilingual website
 QS/ THE roadmap
 launch of COIL
2027
 development of mobility through the International Centre for Meetings of
Student Youth of Ukraine and the Republic of Poland in Mykulychyn
2028
 entry into QS EECA ranking
 application to QS World ranking
2029
 3 Horizon Europe projects
 increase in the number of international students
2030
 full-fledged European university
 stable international rankings

RISK MANAGEMENT
 military risks → mobility through the International Centre in Mykulychyn
 financial risks → diversification of grants
 staff migration → support programmes for academic staff
 global competition → partnership alliances EDUC / UNIVERSEN/ Collegium Carpathicum / Warsaw and Ukrainian university consortia

EXPECTED RESULTS BY 2030

1. Stable international presence of the University
2. Improved quality of international research
3. Functioning flagship international centres

4. Safe and accessible international mobility
5. Strengthened brand of the University within the Carpathian region