In the 2026 summer semester, the Faculty of Social Studies welcomed experts from its partner university, Borys Grinchenko Kyiv Metropolitan University in Ukraine. Tetiana Liakh, Olha Shved, and Anastasiia Kotelevets arrived as part of the Erasmus+ credit mobility programme.

The visit also reaffirmed the long-standing partnership between the two institutions and found further opportunities for collaboration in the areas of social work, inclusion and support for students with special needs.

This visit was not just an isolated event, but a testament to our long-standing partnership, which we continue to deepen and expand into new areas of cooperation.

“This visit was not just an isolated event, but a testament to our long-standing partnership, which we continue to strengthen and expand across new areas of cooperation,” adds Zuzana Stanková, Vice-Dean for International Relations at the Faculty of Social Studies, University of Ostrava.

Support for Students with Special Needs

One of the main topics of the program was inclusion and equal opportunities in education. The visiting colleagues attended a specialised workshop and a tour of the Pyramida Centre run by the University of Ostrava.

Together with Zuzana Miklušová and Kateřina Žvaková, they discussed the support system for students with special learning needs. They shared experience on removing learning barriers and on creating an inclusive academic environment for everyone.

Social Work in Healthcare

An important part of the agenda focused on social work in healthcare. Professional discussions with Associate Professor Lenka Krhutová included examples of good practice as well as experiences from both institutions.

The participants agreed that the integration of the social and healthcare sectors is essential for a modern and effective system of care, especially in the context of current societal and global challenges.

Teaching and the Connection to Practice

Our colleagues also engaged in teaching students at the Faculty. Olha Shved gave a lecture on child protection services in Ukraine as part of the course Family Social Work.

Tetiana Liakh and Anastasiia Kotelevets presented social work in wartime conditions within the course Social Work in International Practice and also spoke on the development of professional skills through volunteering.

Another valued part of the agenda was a meeting with representatives of the branch of the Organization for Aid to Refugees, which was also attended by Veronika Racko, the organization’s long-time collaborator.

Branch Director Andrea Milatová and her two Ukrainian colleagues described their everyday work with clients in the context of the current migration situation.

Experience sharing, especially on such challenging topics as social work in times of conflict, is an invaluable source of inspiration for our students as well as our academic staff. We’re happy to be able to further deepen this collaboration.

The final meeting with Vice-Dean Zuzana Stanková and Coordinator Michaela Vontorová confirmed that the cooperation between the two universities has a strong professional and personal dimension, which is clearly worth further co-development.

As was heard during the meeting at the Department of Social work, “Sharing experiences, especially on such challenging topics as social work in times of conflict, is an invaluable source of inspiration for our students and academics. We’re happy to further deepen this collaboration.”