International internship for the delegation of the WUNU Center for Communications at the Netherlands Business Academy
Within the framework of the Erasmus+ programme, an international internship was held from 30 November to 4 December 2024 in Breda, the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The delegation of West Ukrainian National University consisted of Oksana Koval, Director of the Education and Research Centre for Communications, Associate Professor of the Department of Psychology and Social Work, Group Leader; and Anastasia Martynevych, Deputy Director of the ERCC.
The Rector of the Netherlands Business Academy, Professor Jan van Zwieten, acted as the coordinator of the exchange, ensuring the organisation of the training programme and its practice-oriented focus.
The aim of the international internship was to improve academic and professional skills, develop intercultural cooperation and support the improvement of the university's education and research. While at the Netherlands Business Academy, representatives of WUNU had the opportunity to exchange experience and knowledge with colleagues from another country, participating in joint workshops and interactive group discussions on the creation and implementation of grant and government projects, learning about cases and activities of international investors, visiting organisations to study models and learn about the mechanisms for implementing sustainable development goals.
The internship also included a working meeting between representatives of West Ukrainian National University and staff of the Netherlands Police Academy and lecturers from the University of Twente. The main purpose of the meeting was to lay the foundation for future cooperation in areas of critical importance to Ukraine in academic, research and practice-oriented activities.
In addition to the main purpose of the internship, the participants had the opportunity to get acquainted with the work of Leiden University, the oldest educational institution in the Netherlands, a prestigious university with a rich history of more than four centuries.
The exposure to Dutch culture helped to improve intercultural cooperation, understanding of the diversity of views and approaches to solving various problems, and to enrich cultural diversity. Among other benefits, the internship at the Netherlands Business Academy also provided an opportunity to improve language skills. All participants received certificates of international internship.
Therefore, we are very grateful to the Rector of the Netherlands Business Academy, Honorary Doctor of WUNU Jan van Zwieten for the excellent organisation of the training programme, his professionalism and ability to teach complex things easily, the practice-oriented focus of the internship and incredible hospitality.
The team of the Centre would also like to thank Ms Yvette Lewis, NLBA Professor, International Cooperation Manager, International Mobility Coordinator, for this opportunity.
The acquired knowledge, skills and intercultural cooperation will greatly benefit our activities and positively influence the development of the educational system in our country.
