Strengthening International Academic Cooperation: Participation of Bogdan Khmelnitsky Melitopol State Pedagogical University in an International Webinar

On 17 December 2025, students and academic staff of Bogdan Khmelnitsky Melitopol State Pedagogical University participated in the international webinar “From School to Work: Supporting Young People with Disabilities in the Transition to Education and Employment”, organised by The Swedish Agency for Participation.

The event brought together students, educators, representatives of educational institutions, professionals in the fields of social work, inclusion and employment, as well as representatives of non-governmental organisations from different countries. The main objective of the webinar was to discuss effective European approaches to supporting young people with disabilities during the transition period from the completion of school education to further studies or entry into the open labour market.

Within the framework of the webinar programme, participants were introduced to two successful Swedish initiatives. In particular, the national programme Samstart, implemented by the Swedish Public Employment Service, aims to ensure coordinated intersectoral cooperation between schools, municipalities and employment services. The initiative focuses on early interventions prior to the completion of education, individualised career planning, workplace adaptations, financial incentives for employers, and practical examples of successful employment outcomes for young people with disabilities.

In addition, the municipal initiative of the City of Stockholm, BRON (“Bridge”), based on the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) method, was presented. The programme provides individualised support for young people with disabilities through personal job coaches, facilitating their integration into the open labour market while taking into account their individual needs, interests and professional capacities.

The participation of students and academic staff of MSPU in the webinar contributed to a deeper understanding of contemporary approaches to inclusive education, social support and the promotion of employment for persons with disabilities. It also served as an important element of professional development and international academic cooperation. The knowledge gained and the practical cases presented are valuable for the implementation of inclusive practices within the university’s educational process and may be applied in academic, educational and project-based activities.

Special attention during the webinar was devoted to discussing the possibilities of adapting European experience to the national context and implementing international initiatives, particularly within the framework of European projects such as Enhancing the Participation and Ensuring the Right to Education for Children with Intellectual Disability: Developing Capacities and Opportunities (EPERE). The project, implemented under the SI Ukraine Cooperation Programme and running from December 2024 to November 2026, aims to enhance participation and ensure the right to education for children with intellectual disabilities, develop the capacities of professionals, educators and parents, and promote inclusive practices in educational institutions.

The project partners include leading universities and educational institutions from Sweden, Poland and Ukraine, namely:

• Örebro University (Sweden) – project coordinator;
• Maria Curie-Skłodowska University in Lublin (Poland);
• Kryvyi Rih State Pedagogical University (Ukraine);
• Bogdan Khmelnitsky Melitopol State Pedagogical University.

The webinar concluded with a question-and-answer session and an open discussion, which enabled participants to share their experiences, address questions to the speakers and discuss prospects for further cooperation.

Participation in such international events demonstrates the commitment of Bogdan Khmelnitsky Melitopol State Pedagogical University to the development of an inclusive educational environment, the integration of European experience, and the training of professionals capable of working effectively in the context of contemporary society.