The Department of Information Technologies Reviews Its International Development Strategy for 2026–2031*

The Department of Information Technologies has presented, discussed, and approved the Strategic Plan for the Development of the Department’s International Activities for 2026–2031 (Minutes No. 10 dated April 21, 2026). The document was developed based on an analysis of the department’s international activities in 2025. It defines key priorities for expanding academic mobility, strengthening grant activities, implementing international online learning, and enhancing the department’s global visibility within the European higher education landscape.

An analysis of international activity indicators as of the end of 2025 demonstrated positive development dynamics and the department’s strong potential. The Department of Information Technologies ranked 21st in the university-wide ranking. The department already has a solid foundation based on the regular participation of academic staff and students in academic mobility programmes, successful implementation of individual grants, and involvement in university-wide Erasmus+ projects. This experience provides a reliable basis for further growth, increased grant funding, enhanced global visibility, and more active systematic integration into international research ecosystems.

The Strategy aims to transform the department into an open and innovative partner within the European higher education landscape. Key areas of activity include the expansion of academic exchange programmes, with KPIs of at least 20% of academic staff participating in international training annually and 10% of students taking part in mobility programmes each year; systematic applications to Horizon Europe and Erasmus+ calls, involving at least 40% of academic staff; implementation of Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) methodology; as well as comprehensive SEO optimisation of web resources and the regular updating of researchers’ international academic profiles.

The approved Strategic Plan for 2026–2031 will facilitate the transition from the “Brain Drain” concept to “Brain Circulation” and contribute to building a sustainable ecosystem for the reconstruction of Ukraine through IT innovation.

Strategic Context and Prerequisites

The document is aimed at transforming the department into an open, innovative, and globally integrated partner within the European higher education landscape. The Strategy is fully aligned with Sumy State University’s Internationalisation Strategy for 2026–2030. Its main focus is on moving from the “Brain Drain” concept towards “Brain Circulation”, ensuring a “Connected Global University” approach and creating a sustainable ecosystem for the reconstruction of Ukraine through IT innovation.

An analysis of the department’s performance as of the end of 2025 demonstrates significant research potential that requires greater global visibility. The new Strategy is designed to strengthen the quality of grant activities, expand academic mobility indicators, and integrate the department into international project ecosystems.

Key Strategic Goals and Objectives

1. Development of International Academic Mobility and Integration into the European Higher Education Area

• Expanding and intensifying exchange programmes for academic staff, PhD students, and students in cooperation with the International Cooperation Office of Sumy State University.
• Launching an “International Ambassadors of the Department” initiative involving students who have participated in mobility programmes, enabling them to share their experience with students in junior years.
• Organising intensive academic English language courses and aligning educational programmes with those of international partner universities.
• KPI: At least 20% of academic staff participate in international training programmes each year; at least 10% of students participate annually in exchange programmes or summer/winter schools.

2. Development of International Grant Activities

• Systematic monitoring and participation in project calls under Horizon Europe and Erasmus+.
• Establishing a grant-writing team (spin-off) with clearly defined roles and strengthening the academic staff’s competencies in international grant writing.
• Increasing the involvement of department staff in international expert activities.
• KPI: Submission of at least one competitive application annually to Horizon Europe and/or Erasmus+ programmes; involvement of at least 40% of academic staff in preparing international grant applications.

3. Implementation of Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL)

• Integrating the Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) methodology into the syllabi of professional courses.
• Engaging international guest lecturers and developing virtual academic mobility opportunities for students and academic staff.
• KPI: Integration of COIL modules into at least one educational component each year; involvement of at least 20% of students in mixed international student teams.

4. Expansion of Information, Promotional, and Image-Building Activities

• Comprehensive SEO optimisation of the department’s English-language website and positioning project initiatives on international platforms, including the Funding & Tenders Portal, ResearchConnect, LinkedIn, and others.
• Publishing successful cases and developments of the department in international media.
• Updating and maintaining the international academic profiles of academic staff on ORCID, Scopus Author ID, Google Scholar, ResearchGate, and other relevant platforms.
• KPI: 100% of academic staff have complete English-language academic profiles; annual growth of external backlinks to the department’s web resources of at least 10%.

The approved Strategic Plan will serve as a foundation for further expanding international partnerships, improving the quality of education, and strengthening the research capacity of the Department of Information Technologies.

*AI-generated image