Alina Shcherbyna, COO at WTECH (International IT community For Women), Project Leader в Code Club UA (all-Ukrainian network of free coding clubs for kids)
The European Union’s EU4Digital Initiative currently embraces four key programs: EU4Digital Facility, EaPConnect, EU4Digital Cyber, and EU4Digital Broadband. EaPConnect, a €10 million program aims to bring together research and education communities from EU and Eastern partner countries and to reduce the digital divide. The project will extend network infrastructure to scale up scientific exchange across borders, offer new services to enhance international R&E cooperation, strengthen national research and education networks (NRENs) in R&E ecosystems, and build knowledge, skills, and collaborative working through events, training, and other initiatives.
StrategEast has interviewed experts from the EaP countries. Here are the answers from the expert on Ukraine.
Does IT education in your country require further improvement? Do you think this program can bring tangible results for strengthening IT education in your country? Can the community of IT specialists be considered not only a professional association but also an important element of civil society in your country?
The education system of the country as a whole is based on the theory. Students lack the practical skills that they have to acquire themselves in parallel with their studies. The same applies to IT education, which should largely be based on practice. We have much to develop; there is much to be scaled because our professionals are highly valued in the international market.
Joining the EU4Digital program will allow us to step further in this direction, create new jobs in the digital industry in the future, and develop research in the field of information technology and startups. This is a chance for the new generation and for the students of Code Club Ukraine to become a part of the future.
IT professionals are forming a new community that is different from others. This is not only a professional association but a conscious part of civil society with a high level of responsibility and a firm life position.
