On 22 October 2026, Khmelnytskyi National University (KhNU) hosted an online workshop as part of the Erasmus+ ReGrow project, “Rebuilding Growth in Precision Agriculture in Post-Conflict Ukraine and Transitioning Georgia”. The event focused on discussing the project’s interim results and adapting a master’s degree programme in agricultural engineering, with an emphasis on precision agriculture, to the Ukrainian educational and professional context.
The aim of the event was to discuss the structure and content of the educational programme, its compliance with national higher education requirements, and the competencies and practical skills needed by future professionals in the agricultural sector.
Kateryna Skyba, Vice-Rector for Scientific and Pedagogical Work at Khmelnytskyi National University and KhNU’s project manager for Erasmus+ ReGrow, welcomed the participants. She emphasised the importance of international cooperation in developing modern agricultural education and engaging representatives of academia and the agricultural sector in improving educational programmes in line with labour market needs.
During the workshop, Andrii Martyniuk, Head of the Department of Industrial Engineering and Agricultural Engineering, presented the structure of the master’s programme, developed in accordance with Ukrainian higher education standards and the outcomes of the international project. The programme comprises 90 ECTS credits over three semesters and covers contemporary areas of study, including digital and intelligent technologies, robotics and mechatronics, and precision agriculture systems.
Particular attention was given to the experience of Sumy National Agrarian University. Serhii Sokolik, Senior Lecturer at the Department of Agroengineering, described how the project’s results were being integrated into the existing master’s programme in precision agriculture systems. This included updating course titles and content and adapting educational components while maintaining the prescribed student workload.
An important part of the event was a discussion involving representatives of academia, consortium partners and the agricultural sector. Representatives of the Dniester Euroregion emphasised the importance of training specialists in line with European approaches and standards who can implement innovative technologies and respond to the current needs of Ukrainian agriculture.
Participants also discussed the importance of practical training, cooperation between universities and employers, and the need to take technological developments into account when defining graduates’ professional competencies.
Students also joined the discussion, sharing their views on the sector’s prospects. They emphasised that advances in artificial intelligence and automation do not diminish the importance of human expertise, but instead create new opportunities to improve the efficiency of agricultural production.
Following the workshop, areas for further improvement of the educational programme were identified, taking into account national educational requirements, the needs of the agricultural labour market and stakeholder recommendations. The next steps include continuing consultations with partners and experts, consolidating the feedback received and incorporating it into the further development of the programme.
Events of this kind help strengthen international partnerships, facilitate the exchange of experience, and foster effective cooperation among higher education institutions, students, and representatives of the agricultural sector. The recommendations developed will provide a basis for further improving the master’s programme in line with contemporary European approaches, the needs of the Ukrainian labour market and the future development of precision agriculture.
ABOUT THE PROJECT
The ReGrow project is implemented under the Erasmus+ programme (Capacity Building in Higher Education) and aims to modernise and internationalise higher education in Ukraine and Georgia by developing a master’s programme in precision agriculture. The project involves updating curricula, creating modern educational materials and laboratory infrastructure, developing digital competencies, and strengthening cooperation between universities and the agricultural sector. Khmelnytskyi National University participates in the project as a partner, contributing to the adaptation of modern educational approaches to the needs of Ukrainian education and agriculture.\
Learn more about the project: https://iro.khmnu.edu.ua/regrow/
Project website https://regrow-project.com/
