From May 4 to 24, Olena Budnyk, Doctor of Pedagogical Sciences, Director of the Center, and Professor at the Department of Primary Education and Educational Innovations of Vasyl Stefanyk Precarpathian National University, completed a full-time scientific and didactic internship (advanced training) within the framework of the Visiting Professor Program at the Jagiellonian University in Krakow – one of the oldest and most prestigious institutions of higher education in Europe.
During the visit, a meeting was held with the faculty of the Institute of Pedagogy, where a report was presented on the topic “(Not)war in science and education: about challenges, values and meanings from a critical perspective/ (Nie) wojna w nauce i edukacji: o wyzwaniach, wartościach i sensach z perspektywy krytycznej). In her presentation, Olena Budnyk addressed key methodological concepts concerning the nature of war and peace, as well as the challenges faced by the academic community in times of crisis. She highlighted the psychological and pedagogical support required for children affected by war trauma and shared insights into the organization of the educational process in Ukrainian institutions under wartime conditions. Additionally, she presented the findings of her empirical research, emphasizing the importance of developing educational practices that foster genuine values such as national consciousness and freedom, along with the implementation of pedagogical innovations during periods of crisis.
The ensuing discussion focused on a range of critical issues, including the status and professional responsibilities of teachers in the context of war (in its various manifestations), the current role and objectives of critical pedagogy, the barriers and challenges Ukrainian students encounter while adapting to the Polish education system, and the role of academics in documenting war crimes. As part of the professional development program, monographic lectures were held for 5th year students majoring in Preschool and Primary Education and Special Pedagogy; meaningful meetings were held with the Dean of the Faculty of Philosophy, Dr. hab. prof. Elżbieta Przybył-Sadowska, prof. UJ, within the structure of which the Institute of Pedagogy operates, as well as the Director of the same Institute, Dr. hab. Dr. Jacek Bylica, Director of the same Institute.
Collaboration with the Department of School Pedagogy and Academic Didactics, led by Dr. hab. Anna Sajdak-Burska, Professor at the Jagiellonian University, has been ongoing for approximately ten years under a bilateral agreement with Vasyl Stefanyk Precarpathian National University. This partnership has resulted in joint publications and research initiatives in the fields of inclusive education, psychological and pedagogical support for children in crises, academic didactics, and the pedagogical creativity of teachers, as well as collaborative efforts in the supervision and preparation of doctoral candidates. An additional promising area for future cooperation includes the organization of workshops, seminars, and training sessions for academic staff at the Center for Innovative Educational Technologies “PNU EcoSystem” of Vasyl Stefanyk Precarpathian National University and the Center for the Improvement of Didactics Ars Docendi at the Jagiellonian University.
Olena Budnyk also familiarized herself with the history and traditions of the institution, the specific features of the educational process organization at the university, its historic buildings and modern campus, as well as its libraries and museums. Today, this prominent global scientific center employs nearly 5,000 professors and educates approximately 40,000 students across more than 150 academic disciplines. Accordingly, the experience gained during the advanced training is valuable for identifying prospects for future collaboration in scientific, methodological, and project-based activities.