The UNICOM project has reached another milestone! On 29–30 January 2026, the Erasmus+ UNICOM consortium successfully hosted the International Scientific and Practical Conference titled "Contemporary Transformations of Teacher Education: Issues of Theory and Practice." Organised by the University of Genoa in collaboration with Bohdan Khmelnytskyi Melitopol State Pedagogical University, the Department of Educational Studies and Art Pedagogy, and project partners, the conference provided a platform for exchanging ideas, sharing research, and exploring innovative approaches to strengthening the Third Mission of universities.
The conference brought together 366 participants from six countries, including Ukraine, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Germany, and China. Representing 101 educational institutions, research organisations, and other organisations, participants discussed the evolving role of higher education in addressing societal challenges while exchanging experiences and good practices that support stronger university–community collaboration.
ACEEU’s contribution and role as the quality assurance expert ensures that knowledge exchanged through conference informs the project's continuous improvement, helping strengthen the quality and relevance of UNICOM's activities and outcomes.
During the opening session, Guido Franco Amoretti and Diana Spulber of the University of Genoa expressed their appreciation for the strong international partnership behind UNICOM and acknowledged the resilience and commitment of Ukrainian academic staff in the face of ongoing challenges.
A key highlight of the conference was the presentation of the UNICOM project's progress and achievements. Consortium representatives shared best practices and project results through presentations on the project's contribution to supporting the Third Mission of universities in Ukraine and the role of international projects in educators' continuing professional development.
The conference represents an important milestone in the UNICOM project, reinforcing the value of international collaboration and knowledge exchange in advancing the Third Mission of universities. By bringing together partners from across Europe and beyond, the event further strengthened the project's mission of empowering universities to become active drivers of social innovation and community development.
