On April 29, 2025, the International Youth Debate on Business Case Solving took place at the Kyiv National University of Technologies and Design as part of the international grant project ERASMUS-EDU-2021-VIRT-EXCH.
The event was initiated with the aim of systematically developing entrepreneurial competencies among high school students, college and university students. The key objectives of the Debate were to stimulate analytical thinking, build the ability to make decisions under uncertainty, develop risk management skills, and ensure effective teamwork. These competencies were acquired by the participants during specialized training organized within the project using synchronous and asynchronous virtual mobility technologies.
The event was moderated by Mariana Shkoda, Doctor of Economics, Professor, Dean of the Faculty of Management and Business Design.
The participants of the International Youth Debate were asked to develop a startup project and present it in a video format lasting up to 5 minutes.
The mandatory elements of a startup project video presentation had to include:
- The name of the startup.
- Introduction of the development team.
- Startup concept (main idea, definition of the problem that the project solves).
- Description of the development (product, service or technology).
- Estimated startup budget (investment needs, pricing strategy, projected financial results, performance indicators).
- Identification of the startup's target audience.
The number of participants in each team could not exceed 6 people.
The International Youth Debate program was structured into four consecutive stages:
Stage 1: Announcement of the start of the Debate on the official website and social media of the VEHUB4YOU project.
Stage 2: Submission and registration of applications for participation in the Debates.
Stage 3: Selection of projects participating in the Debate.
Stage 4: Final of the Debate.
The International Youth Debate was attended by representatives of various educational levels, including high school students, college and university students who participated in the project's virtual hubs. The event also brought together university alumni and other stakeholders, forming a wide range of participants. In total, more than 50 startup projects from Ukraine, Azerbaijan, and African countries were presented, which demonstrates the significant international scope and innovative potential of young people.
Participants registered and submitted their startup projects electronically by filling out an online Google form.
Based on the results of the preliminary assessment, the scientific and organizational committee selected 10 teams for the final of the Debate according to the established criteria.
The winners of the Debate, determined by open voting by members of the Scientific and Organizing Committee, were the following projects:
First place: ShelterBag project (collaboration of teams from Kyiv National University of Technologies and Design and Lyceum #9 “Harmony” of Obolon district of Kyiv, consisting of Ksenia SAMOILENKO, Arina PEIKOVA, Natalia KONDRATENKO, Ukraine).
Second place: AgroGuardians project (representatives Khadiza MOHAMMAD, Sufianu IBRAHIM, Dondu Lawan HARUNA, supervised by Dr. Zaharuddefn HARUNA from Ahmadu Bello University, Nigeria).
Third place: Agrinova project (representative Elvin MURADZADA from Mingachevir State University, Azerbaijan Republic).
The winners of the International Youth Debate and Case Championship were awarded a valuable prize - a week-long training program at the Summer Business School at the University of Foggia, Italy.
We sincerely congratulate the winners and wish them to make the most of this experience to expand their knowledge, acquire new competencies and establish valuable international connections!
29.05.2025
