The scientific community of Sumy National Agrarian University has once again joined the international
exchange of experience and knowledge by participating in workshops and lectures. The event was held
as part of the UNICOM Erasmus+ project: KA2 CBHE project at the Faculty of Business, Management and
Economics of the University of Latvia (Riga). Representatives of SNAU: Vice-Rector for Research and
International Activities, Professor Yurii DANKO and Director of the Promotion Office, Associate Professor
Kseniia BLUMSKA-DANKO, actively participated in the events for four days together with a delegation of
representatives of other Ukrainian universities.

The visit focused on the third mission of universities and economic growth. The participants of the
workshops and lectures discussed the potential of business development, cooperation with social
partners and lifelong learning. The event was also reflected in the study of the experience of
cooperation between the University of Latvia and local municipalities and the implementation of the
third mission of foreign higher education institutions.

One of the most interesting moments of the visit was participation in the workshop “Third Mission and
Cooperation with Social Partners – Aspects of Sustainability”. Participants were able to exchange
experiences and ideas on the important role of universities in supporting economic growth and business
potential development, as well as in interacting with the public. The last day of the visit was devoted to
participation in the international scientific conference “Sustainable Universities and Communities”,
which addressed topical issues of higher education development and cooperation with municipalities.
Participants expressed ideas and considered prospects for implementing the acquired knowledge in
their own work.

In addition to the scientific events, the delegation had the opportunity to discover the cultural aspects
of Latvia, in particular, to walk around the old city of Riga, which added new impressions and helped to
expand the horizons of understanding international cooperation. The researchers also visited the city of
Kuldīga, the capital of the Kurland region. One of the branches of the University of Latvia is located here.
According to the mayor of the city, such a good location of the separate structural unit solves the issue
of providing the region with high-quality personnel. By the way, the town actively supports immigrants
from Ukraine: 427 Ukrainians found refuge here in 2022.

Yurii DANKO, Vice-Rector for Research and International Activities of the SNAU, emphasized the
importance of such international initiatives, especially in the context of restoring and developing
communities in Sumy region:
“The Unicom project, which we are implementing as part of a consortium of universities, is important
for post-war recovery and community development. As part of this project, the University of Latvia
hosted an event dedicated to economic growth and sustainable development of universities and
communities. For more than 45 years, Sumy National Agrarian University has been implementing its
important mission of human and scientific development of rural areas of Sumy region. Our graduates
work in every community, in every starosta. And today, when 17 communities of the region are under
daily shelling and bombardment, we feel the pain and anxiety together with them, but we think about
further recovery and development.”

The visit of scientists to Latvia was not only an opportunity to exchange experience, but also a step
forward in strengthening international relations and supporting academic cooperation.

Read more about the UNICOM project: https://unicom.snau.edu.ua/
University of Latvia: https://www.lu.lv