Ostroh Academy Discusses EU and Ukrainian Practices in Security Studies Development

September 17, 2024

On September 17, as a part of the European Union's Jean Monnet Project, "Self-Regulated Studies of Hybrid Threats and European Security," the National University of Ostroh Academy hosted a round table meeting on "Development of Security Studies in Ukraine: Practices from EU Countries."

The event provided a platform for lecturers, researchers, specialists, and experts in hybrid threat analysis and security studies to exchange knowledge and ideas on improving security studies research in Ukraine, following EU practices.

"The 'Self-Regulated Studies of Hybrid Threats and European Security' Project is a logical continuance of our previous EU-funded Erasmus+ project, 'WARN – Academic Response to Hybrid Threats.' We invited researchers, experts, students, and professors from diverse fields, including psychology, international relations, policy and security studies, communications, sociology, education, and other related disciplines to participate in the round-table meeting. We are pleased to welcome participants and speakers from Estonia, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, the United States, Finland, Sweden, and, of course, our Ukrainian colleagues from Zhytomyr, Odesa, Zaporizhzhia, Kamianets-Podilskyi, and Ostroh,"

During the event, speakers addressed the EU's experience in building a security framework, scientific approaches to advancing security studies in Ukraine, professional development for security studies experts, curriculum development on security and hybrid threats, psychological aspects of self-regulated learning in security studies, and the establishment of contacts and partnerships among research groups from various academic and scientific institutions.

The speakers at the meeting were:

• Dr Bruno Ferreira da Costa, University of Beira Interior (Portugal), "New Borders, New Challenges – The Future of the European Union in the Face russian Threat";
• Dr Sara Bondesson, Swedish Defence University (Sweden), "Experience of Scientific Cooperation Between Ukraine and Sweden";
• Dr Adam Eberhardt, Deputy Director of the Center for East European Studies, University of Warsaw (Poland), "Security Research in Poland";
• Professor Anatoliy Khudoliy, The National University of Ostroh Academy, "Geopolitical Transformation of the Modern World as a Factor Influencing Ukrainian Intelligence Activities";
• Dr Magdalena Wronska, Jan Kochanowski University in Kielce (Poland), "Application of Artificial Intelligence in Cybersecurity and Defense of Ukraine";
• Dr Jarosław W. Przybytniowski, Jan Kochanowski University in Kielce (Poland), "Risk of Environmental Disasters in the Context of Building Local Security";
• Dr Paweł Dziekański, Jan Kochanowski University in Kielce (Poland), and Dr Ing. Marketa Simkova, DTI University (Slovakia), "Economic Challenges for Regional Security in the Context of Green Transformation of the Local Economy (Experience of Poland and the Czech Republic)";
• Polina Poliakova, a student of the Educational and Scientific Institute of International Relations and National Security at the National University of Ostroh Academy (Ukraine), "Is Telegram a Hybrid Threat to Ukraine?"

It is worth noting that the Jean Monnet Project "Self-Regulated Studies of Hybrid Threats and European Security" (101081342 – EuroHybSec – ERASMUS-JMO-2022-HEI-TCH-RSCN) is being implemented by the National University of Ostroh Academy with co-funding from the European Union. The project aims to promote European principles for building a robust and secure framework by employing new forms and methods of communication, creating a clear vision of the European security system for target audiences.