In March 2026, representatives of Khmelnytskyi National University took part in the international student conference Businet Unité Futures – Thinking Employability 2026, held from March 8 to 12 in Porto, Portugal. The event was organised by the international Businet network in cooperation with the Polytechnic Institute of Management and Technology – ISLA Gaia.
Khmelnytskyi National University was represented at the conference by Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs Kateryna Skyba, as well as students of the Faculty of International Relations and Law—Oleksandra Fishchuk and Sofiia Drahomeretska.
The conference program focused on the theme “Thinking Employability” and featured lectures, interactive workshops, and practical sessions designed to develop professional competencies, emotional intelligence, and intercultural skills. Particular attention was given to the concept of experiential learning—learning through practical experience.
The first day of the event was dedicated to introducing participants to one another and to the activities of the Businet network. The official opening was conducted by Greet Barrezeele, Deputy General Manager of Businet, and Stuart Moss. As part of the program, Jurgen Bastanje (Thomas More University of Applied Sciences) presented approaches to developing international and intercultural competencies in a professional environment, while Julia Geisman (NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences) focused on the role of emotional intelligence in enhancing employability.
The second day of the conference addressed “Sustainable Tourism and Experiential Learning.” Working in international teams, students conducted surveys among local residents and business representatives in Porto. This approach enabled participants to gain real-world experience in a professional environment. Based on their work, each team prepared and presented the results of their research, demonstrating analytical skills and the ability to work with information.
The third day focused on developing career competencies. Stuart Moss delivered a series of lectures on “Employability Skills: Advancing Career Pathways,” during which participants discussed the importance of continuous professional development, self-improvement, and adaptability in today’s labour market.
On the fourth day of the conference, Kateryna Skyba delivered a presentation titled “Resilience at Work in Times of Crisis.” In her speech, she spoke about the resilience of the Ukrainian people and the challenges Ukrainians face daily as a result of the war. She also presented practical cases demonstrating how to develop psychological and professional resilience in the workplace. The presentation generated significant interest among participants and provided an opportunity to share Ukraine’s experience in overcoming complex challenges with the international student community.
On the same day, students focused on a creative team task—producing video presentations about the conference. Each group presented its own vision of the event, using diverse approaches and creative ideas. Following the presentations, the best work was selected, and its authors received awards from the organisers. This activity contributed to the development of creativity, teamwork, and digital communication skills.
Students of Khmelnytskyi National University, Oleksandra Fishchuk and Sofiia Drahomeretska, also actively participated in the conference, engaging in both educational and team-based activities. Throughout the event, participants worked in teams composed of students from Belgium, Germany, Romania, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and Ukraine. In this format, they collaboratively completed practical tasks, discussed current labour market challenges, and worked on case studies to develop employability skills. As a result, students prepared and delivered presentations of their work, enhancing their teamwork, intercultural communication, critical thinking, and public speaking skills.
In addition to the intensive academic program, participants had the opportunity to explore Porto's culture. The organisers arranged a series of cultural and informal activities that fostered closer interaction among participants and created a friendly atmosphere. These included group cultural events, a guided city tour, and other interactive activities. Such initiatives allowed participants not only to discover the region's history and traditions but also to continue intercultural dialogue in an informal setting, facilitating the establishment of new international connections and strengthening cooperation among students from different countries.
Participation in Businet Unité Futures – Thinking Employability 2026 proved to be a valuable and enriching experience for representatives of Khmelnytskyi National University. Such international educational initiatives contribute to the development of students’ professional and communication competencies, expand academic networks, and open new opportunities for cooperation between universities from different countries.
The staff of Khmelnytskyi National University express their sincere gratitude to the conference organisers—the Businet network and the Instituto Politécnico de Gestão e Tecnologia – ISLA Gaia—for the invitation, the high level of organisation, and the creation of a platform for productive international dialogue. We look forward to further developing our partnership and implementing new joint initiatives that will foster international cooperation and academic mobility for both students and academic staff.