Last year, Lviv Polytechnic successfully launched the Visiting professor program, which aims to develop a system of international academic mobility for highly qualified researchers. Leading specialists from around the world can join the following activities: teaching disciplines, conducting research, trainings, familiarizing researchers and academic staff with unique methods of teaching and conducting research. Thus, the invited visiting professor has to work at least 60 academic hours for 90 days. The purpose of the program is to involve the best professors in the Polytechnic activities to diversify the study programs and the teaching methods. Professor Yaryna Turchyn, Director of IHSS, Department of Political Science and International Relations says:
– In general, the implementation of the Visiting professor program at Lviv Polytechnic is quite successful. This program is new for Ukrainian universities. All invited visiting professors receive official employment at Lviv Polytechnic. Our academics and leading specialists also have the opportunity to teach in foreign universities under this program. We invite visiting professors not only to give lectures, but to conduct research as well. In particular, Dr. Maureen Flaherty, the University of Manitoba, from time to time came to Lviv Polytechnic to conduct her research.
Cooperation with Dr. Maureen Flaherty opened a great opportunity for Polytechnicians. For example, the University of Manitoba established a foundation to fund research internships for Lviv Polytechnic postgraduate students in Canada. Mariana Hasiak, postgraduate student majoring in Social Work, and Ivanna Deka, an assistant at the Department of Sociology and Social Work, took advantage of this opportunity. For several months the young researchers studied at the University of Manitoba.
To become a participant of the Visiting professor program a person has to receive the relevant scientific degree. Also, when selecting a candidate, such professional achievements are taken into account as: publications in well-known foreign scientific journals, unique teaching methods, published textbooks and monographs, innovative lecture courses, etc. The main tasks of such international activity are the development of academic mobility and cooperation with well-known universities of Ukraine and the world, the improvement of the quality of educational activities, as well as detailed acquaintance of the educational process participants with the results of current research and latest technologies.
Last year, 10 invited researchers gave lectures under the Visiting professor program at Lviv Polytechnic. The University is looking forward to fruitful international cooperation and new visits of foreign academics.