Over the past 2.5 years, PROMETEUS project (Promoting Teacher Education and Innovative Pedagogy for Strengthening Capacities of Ukrainian Higher Education for Post-War Reconstruction) has brought together colleagues from the University of Turku and Ivan Franko National University of Lviv to support the development of Ukrainian higher education through professional development and institutional collaboration. As the project approaches its conclusion, this is a good time to reflect on its achievements and lessons learned.
Higher education plays a key role in fostering resilience, empowerment, and social inclusion
PROMETEUS was launched in response to the profound loss of human potential caused by the war in Ukraine and the challenges this poses for the country's recovery and reconstruction. As higher education plays a key role in fostering resilience, empowerment, and social inclusion, the project sought to strengthen the capacities of Ukrainian higher education through professional development and institutional collaboration.
In the project, the University of Turku supported the Ivan Franko National University of Lviv in developing the competencies of academic staff, with a focus on resilience, innovative and student-centred pedagogy, and inclusive educational practices. The project also aimed to build a sustainable network of educators committed to educational development and change.
Strengthening the competencies of both staff and students
PROMETEUS focused on professional development, student engagement, and strengthening collaboration between the two universities.
A major project outcome was a certified staff training programme piloted by the Ivan Franko National University of Lviv in autumn 2025. Jointly designed by Finnish and Ukrainian colleagues, the programme brought together expertise from both institutions. To ensure accessibility, all lecture materials and supporting readings were translated into Ukrainian. The training attracted considerable interest, with 95 members of staff participating in the programme.
The project also supported student engagement through a competition on inclusive solutions in higher education. A total of 23 students took part, and the three winners were awarded a study visit to the University of Turku. During their stay, they engaged with the international Master's Degree Programme in Education and Learning, met experts from university services, such as international affairs, well-being services, and UTUPEDA Centre for University Pedagogy and Research, and explored student life in Finland with the support of a student tutor.
In addition, a PROMETEUS week was organised in connection with the European Campus of City-Universities (EC2U) Alliance’s Forum in Turku, bringing together 35 representatives from the Ivan Franko National University of Lviv. Part of the programme was organised in collaboration with the University of Turku section of Scholars at Risk, including discussions on the impact of the war on higher education and research infrastructure, the modernisation of Ukrainian higher education, regional studies, and broader societal challenges.
Overall, PROMETEUS has strengthened the competencies of both staff and students while promoting innovative, inclusive, and student-centred approaches to teaching and learning.
Join the FinTED & PROMETEUS webinar: fostering research-practice partnerships
Although PROMETEUS is coming to an end, the collaboration and discussions it has initiated will continue. Together with FinTED (Finnish Teacher Education Database), a national research infrastructure supporting educational research and development, we warmly invite researchers, educators, and practitioners to join the joint webinar “Research-Practice Partnerships” on 23 November from 13:00 to 15:00 (EET).
The webinar will feature presentations by Professor A. Lin Goodwin (Boston College, USA; UTU), Professor Emerita Elisabeth Nihlfors (Uppsala University, Sweden) & Dr. Sebastian Björnhammer (Linköping University, Sweden) and Associate Professor Jyrki Huusko, Administrative Principal at the University of Eastern Finland Teacher Training School, followed by invited commentaries by Associate Professor Viktoriya Loboda, Department of Social Pedagogy and Social Work (Ivan Franko National University of Lviv) and Associate Professor Olha Stoliaryk, Head of Department of Social Pedagogy and Social Work (Ivan Franko National University of Lviv).
The webinar offers an opportunity to reflect on the project's outcomes and discuss how research-practice partnerships can contribute to the future development of higher education in Finland, Ukraine, and beyond. Welcome!
The University of Turku received funding from the Finnish National Agency for Education through the Team Finland Knowledge Programme Ukraine for the 2.5-year PROMETEUS project in 2024. Led by Professor Mirjamaija Mikkilä-Erdmann, the project has been carried out together in close collaboration with Ivan Franko National University of Lviv.
Henna Vilppu
The author holds the title of Docent and works as a University Research Fellow at the Department of Teacher Education, University of Turku. She also serves as the UTU-collaborator of the PROMETEUS project.
Mirjamaija Mikkilä-Erdmann
The author is Professor at the Department of Teacher Education, University of Turku, Project Director of the PROMETEUS project, and Academic Director of FinTED (Finnish Teacher Education Database).
Irinja Paakkanen
The author is Head of International Affairs at the University of Turku and serves as the administrative contact for the PROMETEUS project and UTU SAR activities. She is also a member of EUA’s Ukraine Task Force.
