The Ukrainian Catholic University hosted a landmark event—the international conference “Service-Learning for the Recovery of Ukraine.” The conference marked the conclusion of the Erasmus+ ServU project, which brought together three Ukrainian and three European universities around the idea of rebuilding the country through the synergy of education and community.
For the UCU Business School, this event served as a platform to present real-world case studies in which business expertise becomes a tool for the survival and development of regions during wartime.
The conference was opened by Sofiya Opatska, Founding Dean of the UCU Business School and Vice Rector for Strategic Development at UCU, with a session on the project’s journey: from its inception to future partnership prospects. She noted that the goal of ServU is to strengthen the synergy between educational institutions and communities for the joint reconstruction of Ukraine.
An important part of the international context was the presentation by Professor of Management Amy L. Kenworthy, who shared her experience and vision for developing community-oriented learning models. Her participation underscored the project’s global nature and the importance of integrating global best practices into Ukrainian education.
During the panel discussion, UCU Rector Taras Dobko emphasized that in the face of today’s challenges, universities must be “communities of common sense” and a source of hope.
“Universities have the experience of sowing seeds and watching the harvest grow. We are sowing and are prepared to wait, because we understand that if we do our work well, these fruits will bear fruit sooner or later. Thus, we are building sustainability and bridges between generations,” emphasized Taras Dobko.
The rector also noted that community-oriented education is not just about service, but also about the quality of education: it fosters a unique sense of motivation in students, as they see how their knowledge truly changes the lives of the community.
Business on the Frontlines
The expert discussions focused on a presentation by Artem Kornetskyy, a lecturer at the UCU Business School and an expert in social entrepreneurship. He presented the results of the Business on the Frontlines (BOTFL) course, which is implemented as part of the Business Administration program (Key Executive MBA).
According to research by Artem Kornetskyy and Yaryna Boychuk, CEO of the UCU Business School, service-learning (SOL) in business education provides communities not just with assistance, but with high-level consulting solutions. In particular, during the conference and in their joint work, the authors highlighted the main community recovery projects in Novyi Rozdil:
– Repositioning of the industrial park: transforming a neglected site into an infrastructure platform with a focus on eco-specialization and the circular economy.
– Strategy for the “Zakhid Solod” brewery: developing a plan to export malt to North American and European markets, as well as preparing an ESG report.
– Revitalization of the Rozdil Palace: developing a financial model to transform this historic landmark into a regional tourism hub.
Why is this important?
The service-learning approach allows student leaders not only to learn but also to build an infrastructure of trust, which is critical for Ukraine’s recovery. SOL in business education helps redefine the role of a leader, where service becomes both a privilege and a professional responsibility.
Service-learning is not just about grades. As Sofiya Opatska summarized while motivating participants:
“The quality of education depends not only on lectures. If a student lacks motivation, nothing will happen. SOL creates this motivation because young people see how their knowledge changes someone’s life.”
For the UCU Business School, participation in the ServU project is a confirmation of our mission: to educate leaders who build Ukraine’s agency through strong communities and competitive business.
