The partners of the Erasmus+ UNICOM project gathered in Bielefeld, Germany, from 28 to 31 October 2024 for a study visit hosted by Fachhochschule des Mittelstands (FHM). During this visit, consortium members had the opportunity to explore how European universities successfully implement the Third Mission through strong collaboration with communities, businesses, and regional stakeholders.
The visit programme combines institutional presentations, discussions, and visits to local initiatives, giving participants firsthand insight into FHM's approach to knowledge transfer, innovation, entrepreneurship, and community engagement. By showcasing practical examples of university–community cooperation, the study visits enabled partners to exchange experiences and identify practices that can be adapted within their own institutions.
The study visits formed part of UNICOM's wider efforts to strengthen the capacity of Ukrainian higher education institutions to embed the Third Mission into their strategies and everyday activities. The knowledge and experiences gained during the visit will support the establishment of UNICOM Centres, helping partner universities develop sustainable models for community engagement, lifelong learning, and regional development.
As the Quality Assurance Partner, ACEEU helps ensure that the lessons and good practices emerging from activities are systematically evaluated, enabling the consortium to translate European experience into meaningful improvements for the implementation of the Third Mission in Ukrainian higher education.
The Bielefeld study visit represented another important step towards achieving UNICOM's mission of empowering universities to become active drivers of social innovation and regional development. By learning directly from experienced European institutions, the project partners are building the knowledge, partnerships, and capacity needed to create lasting impact within their local communities.
