The UkraStud International Online Conference brought together the project partners to present the main research findings, educational resources, and practical tools developed during the project. Each partner contributed a specific perspective, reflecting the different dimensions of the UkraStud project: psychological well-being, social inclusion, student resilience, research evidence, tutor competences, educational resources, staff experiences, and institutional guidelines.

The conference included a contribution from Igor Vitale International, presented by Igor Vitale, based on the project’s desk research. The presentation focused specifically on the European Union’s approach to psychological well-being and mental health, providing an overview of the main European strategies and policy directions relevant to the promotion of mental health and well-being. Particular attention was given to the EU Mental Health Strategy, highlighting the importance of prevention, access to appropriate support, social inclusion, and the creation of environments that can protect and promote psychological well-being. The presentation also connected the European perspective with the Ukrainian context. Ukrainian students face circumstances that can have a significant impact on their psychological well-being, including displacement, separation from family, uncertainty about the future, exposure to war-related experiences, and the challenges of adapting to a new academic and social environment.

The Romanian partner, Ștefan cel Mare University of Suceava (USV), represented by Ancuța Prisacaru, presented the findings of its desk research on the social well-being of international university students. The presentation examined social well-being as an important component of the overall university experience. For international students, studying in another country involves much more than adapting to academic requirements. Students also need to establish social connections, understand a different cultural environment, communicate with people from different backgrounds, and develop a sense of belonging within the university community. The contribution explored the factors that can support or negatively affect this process, including social integration, relationships with peers, communication, cultural adaptation, belonging, and the availability of institutional support. These issues are particularly relevant for Ukrainian students, who may already be experiencing displacement and disruption because of the war. Creating opportunities for interaction and participation can therefore become an important part of supporting their well-being.

A central presentation of the conference was delivered by Jessica Boin and Rossella Falvo from the University of Padua (UNIPD). Their presentation, “The UkraStud Research: Methods and Findings Across Four Host Countries,” focused on WP2, presenting the methodology and results of the research conducted within the project. The session explained how the research was developed across the participating countries and how information was collected to better understand the experiences and needs of Ukrainian university students. The research provided the evidence base for the subsequent development of the UkraStud educational resources. Rather than developing training materials based only on theoretical assumptions, the project used research findings to identify the concrete challenges experienced by Ukrainian students and the areas in which universities and academic staff require additional support.

Alla Navolokina from IEU presented “Resilient Ukrainian Students in a Time of War,” focusing on the particular situation of Ukrainian students during a period of continuing conflict. The presentation placed resilience at the centre of the discussion. For Ukrainian students, continuing university education during wartime can require considerable psychological and personal resources. Students may need to adapt to displacement, uncertainty, changes in family circumstances, financial difficulties, interruptions to their education, and the emotional consequences of war. The presentation highlighted the importance of understanding resilience not simply as an individual characteristic, but also as something that can be strengthened through appropriate social and institutional support. Universities, tutors, peers, and academic staff can all contribute to creating conditions that help students maintain their studies, develop a sense of stability, and remain connected to their academic community.

Hüseyin Göksu from IUC presented WP3 – the Online Course for Tutors of Ukrainian Students and Academic Staff. The presentation introduced the online learning resource developed specifically to strengthen the knowledge and competences of professionals working directly with Ukrainian students. The course responds to an important challenge identified during the project: tutors and academic staff may be in a key position to support students, but they also need appropriate knowledge and practical tools to understand and respond to students’ academic, psychological, social, and inclusion-related needs. The online course therefore transforms the knowledge generated through the project into an accessible training resource that can be used by university staff.

Jana Šic Žlabur from the University of Zagreb (UNIZG) provided a more detailed presentation of the course through “Inside the Module, A Guided Tour.” This session offered a closer look at its actual structure and learning components. Participants were introduced to the different types of materials included in the module, such as:

• video lessons;
• presentations;
• scripts and supporting materials;
• interactive H5P activities;
• learning and self-assessment activities; and
• proficiency tests.

The inclusion of H5P activities and assessment elements also allows participants to move beyond passive learning. Tutors and academic staff can engage with the content, test their understanding, and consolidate the knowledge acquired throughout the course.

A second contribution from UNIZG, presented by Nevena Opačić, focused on “Supporting Student Success: Insights from Tutors and Staff.” This presentation connected WP2 and WP3, adding the perspective of university tutors and staff to the research and training results. The focus was on the experiences of professionals who work directly with students and therefore encounter their needs and difficulties in everyday university life. Their insights help explain how issues identified through the research can appear in practical situations. Tutors and academic staff may need to respond not only to academic difficulties but also to challenges related to communication, integration, psychological well-being, cultural differences, and students’ personal circumstances.

The final major presentation was delivered by Vitaliy Zakharchuk from IEU and focused on WP4 – “Guidelines for the Inclusion of Ukrainian Students in Universities.” The guidelines represent the project’s effort to translate the knowledge gathered throughout the previous work packages into practical recommendations for higher education institutions. The presentation focused on the importance of creating university environments in which Ukrainian students can participate fully in academic and social life. The guidelines bring together the project’s understanding of key issues such as inclusion, well-being, academic support, social integration, communication, resilience, and institutional responsibility. The guidelines therefore represent an important step from research and training towards institutional implementation, allowing the results of UkraStud to be used beyond the immediate project partnership.

These contributions showed a clear progression: Research → Understanding students’ needs → Listening to staff → Developing training → Creating practical guidelines → Supporting universities.

Here you can read and download the learning material from the conference, and on the website you can download the guidelines and watch the videocourse.