On April 29, 2025, the Kyiv National University of Technologies and Design became a platform for the VI International Scientific and Practical Internet Conference on “IMPERATIVES OF ECONOMIC GROWTH IN THE CONTEXT OF REALIZING GLOBAL SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS”. Traditionally, the event was organized by the Faculty of Management and Business Design of KNUTD.

The conference was aimed at in-depth analysis and constructive discussion of pressing issues of economic growth in the context of the implementation of the Global Sustainable Development Goals.

The event brought together scientists, practitioners and business representatives to share their experience and research results.

The key objectives of the conference were as follows:

- Analyzing theoretical and practical aspects of economic growth in the context of sustainable development.

- Identification of current trends and challenges on the way to achieving global sustainable development goals in the economic sphere.

- Search for innovative approaches and mechanisms to ensure balanced economic growth and sustainable development.

- Developing sound recommendations for public policy and business strategies aimed at the effective implementation of the global sustainable development goals.

- Intensification of international cooperation in the field of economic growth and sustainable development.

On behalf of the Rector of the University, Doctor of Economics, Professor, Academician of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine Ivan Gryshchenko, the conference was opened by Liudmyla Hanushchak-Yefimenko, Vice-Rector for Research and International Activities, Doctor of Economics, Professor.

Vice-Rector wished international partners, participants and guests of the event a fruitful cooperation and emphasized the strategic importance of economic growth in the context of sustainable development in the current environment.

Alla Kasych, Doctor of Economics, Professor, Vice-Rector for Research and Teaching (Education), also addressed the conference participants with a welcoming speech and wished them productive and meaningful work.

The event was professionally moderated by Mariana Shkoda, Doctor of Economics, Professor, Dean of the Faculty of Management and Business Design. Her trilingual moderation (in Ukrainian, English and Polish) played a key role in ensuring a high organizational level and a dynamic course of the conference.

The VI International Scientific and Practical Internet Conference was attended by more than 100 representatives of the academic community, including researchers, teachers, graduate students and applicants for higher education. The geography of the participants covered a wide range of leading educational and research institutions.

In particular, the conference was attended by representatives from:

- Poland: Warsaw University of Technology (Politechnika Warszawska), Academy of Applied Sciences in Bielsko-Biała, International Academy of Applied Sciences in Łomża, and State Vocational College in Suwałki.

- Ukraine: Kyiv, Kharkiv, Kremenchuk, Ternopil, Zaporizhzhia.

- Czech Republic: Institute of Technology and Business in České Budějovice.

- Republic of North Macedonia: International Balkan University in Skopje.

- Italian Republic: University of Foggia.

- Republic of Azerbaijan: Mingachevir State University.

- Republic of Latvia: RISEBA University of Applied Sciences, Riga.

Such a broad international representation emphasizes the high level of interest in the announced topics and contributes to the further integration of Ukrainian science into the global academic space.

At the plenary session, the organizers and guests of the conference made welcoming remarks and presentations:

Ireneusz ŻUCHOWSKI - Dr. inż., Rector of the International Academy of Applied Sciences in Lomza, Poland

Jolanta PUZZEL - Dr. inż., Deputy Dean for the Organization of Classes, Industrial Practice and Professional Internships at the International Academy of Applied Sciences in Lomza (Lomza, Republic of Poland)

Wiesław ZAWADZKI - PhD, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, State Vocational College in Suwałki (Poland)

Snizhana BILIK - Professor, Vice-Rector for Research and Projects, International Balkan University, Skopje (Republic of North Macedonia)

Pierpaolo MAGLIOCA - PhD, Associate Professor of Economics and Business Management, University of Foggia (Italy)

Alla CHEREP - Doctor of Economics, Professor, Head of the Department of Finance, Zaporizhzhia National University, Ukraine

Nadiia SHMYGOL - PhD in Economics, Professor of the Department of Management and Quality, Warsaw University of Technology (Poland)

Ivan SKOROKHODOV - Marketing Director, SOFTORG LLC, Kyiv, Ukraine

The Rector of the Institute of Technology and Business in České Budějovice, Marek VOHOZKA, MBA, PhD (Economics), Czech Republic, also sent a video greeting.

After the break, the conference continued its work in the format of breakout sessions on the following thematic platforms:

Platform 1: Strategic vectors of management of socio-economic development of enterprises in the context of global challenges and national recovery.

Platform 2. Financial instruments for the formation of a model of sustainable development of Ukraine.

Platform 3. Sustainable entrepreneurship and social responsibility: new horizons of entrepreneurial education.

Platform 4. Sustainable development and communication of changes: the role of marketing in global transformations.

Platform 5. Virtual exchange technologies as an effective tool for providing access to modern European business education in the ERASMUS+ VEHUB4YOU project.

Platform 6. Building 21st century skills for the development of adaptive leadership and sustainable society (ERASMUS+ SEAL project).

Platform 7. Universities in the coordinates of sustainable entrepreneurship and digital transformation (EIT HEI Initiative 2024).

Platform 8: International economic relations and smart economy in global transformation processes.

Within the framework of Platform 5 “Virtual Exchange Technologies as an Effective Tool for Ensuring Access to Modern European Business Education” of the ERASMUS+ VEHUB4YOU project, a landmark event took place - International Debates and Case Competitions.

The event was initiated by the Kyiv National University of Technologies and Design (KNUTD) and moderated by the Dean of the Faculty of Management and Business Design, Mariana Shkoda. Samira Akhmadova, Coordinator of the International Cooperation Department of Mingachevir State University, welcomed the participants and presented the project on the work of the virtual hub in the Republic of Azerbaijan, emphasizing the importance of the project and the significant potential for developing entrepreneurial skills using virtual technologies. This platform has become an effective platform for holding the Competition aimed at developing entrepreneurial competencies, analytical thinking, and teamwork skills among high school and university students. Participants from Ukraine, Azerbaijan and African countries presented more than 50 innovative startup projects, which demonstrates a high level of their creativity and innovative potential.

According to the results of the competition, the first place was taken by a team from Ukraine with the ShelterBag project, the second place by a team from Nigeria with the AgroGuardians project, and the third place by a team from Azerbaijan with the Agrinova project. The winning team from Ukraine received an award - a trip to the summer business school at the University of Foggia, Italy. This competition has become a vivid confirmation of the effectiveness of virtual exchange as a tool for engaging young people in European business education.

Platform 6 served as a key platform for intensive discussion and coordination of the strategic goals of the Erasmus+ SEAL-NR project. This session block became one of the central elements of the conference, where partners and project participants consolidated their efforts to ensure the initiative's comprehensive impact on the development of education and the business environment.

The discussions held at Platform 6 covered the following critical areas of the project:

- Development of international cooperation in education: The partners discussed mechanisms for creating and operating a system of cooperation between universities and youth organizations from different countries, focusing on the use of virtual exchange technologies and the formation of virtual hubs to expand the geographical boundaries of learning and interaction.

- Promoting academic entrepreneurship and innovation: Ways were identified to promote intrapreneurial skills and innovative thinking among students and staff, with the aim of increasing the ability of companies to adapt to the challenges of innovative business models and the dynamics of the entrepreneurial economy.

- Support for youth and migrants: Participants focused on providing information and psychological support to target groups through the development of an interactive online learning system, providing access to knowledge and resources that will facilitate their social adaptation and professional development.

- Development of key competencies: Methods of forming and deepening digital and soft skills, which are critical for the professionals of the future, were discussed, as well as raising awareness of the European Union's entrepreneurship and digital transformation policies to bridge the gap between the requirements of the modern labor market and educational processes.

The effectiveness of Platform 6 as a coordination hub ensured unity of vision and consolidation of efforts, which is the key to the successful implementation of the SEAL-NR project's multidimensional goals and its significant contribution to the transformation of educational and business ecosystems.

 The conference effectively contributed to an in-depth discussion and analysis of pressing issues of economic growth in the context of the implementation of the Global Sustainable Development Goals. Of value was Platform 6, which served as a strategic coordination hub for the Erasmus+ SEAL-NR project. This platform hosted an intensive discussion and agreement on the project's strategic goals aimed at developing international cooperation in education, promoting academic entrepreneurship, supporting youth and migrants, and developing key digital and soft competencies.

In addition, the International Youth Debate and Case Competition was a vivid example of an innovative approach to developing entrepreneurial competencies among students. The use of virtual exchange and a creative evaluation system emphasized the ability of participants to generate non-standard solutions and work effectively in the face of challenges. This competition not only demonstrated the high innovative potential of the applicants but also launched new projects that received recognition and opportunities for further development.

To summarize, the conference was an important step in strengthening international cooperation and sharing the best practices in the field of sustainable economic development. It has once again confirmed the resilience of the Ukrainian scientific community and its readiness to actively work on solving global challenges, introducing innovations and forming future leaders. This is the key to progress and a contribution to Ukraine's recovery.

The Organizing Committee expresses its sincere gratitude to all speakers and participants of the conference!

29.05.2025