Dozens of laptops and robotics kits: international project helps schools in Ukraine

This became possible due to the successful participation of student teams in entrepreneurship and innovation camps. In total, students from 69 educational institutions in Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk, and Poltava regions have already gained new knowledge and received certificates for technical equipment of school computer labs.

“We have held 21 two-day educational camps on entrepreneurship and innovation. Each time, these are new ideas and business projects. They are created by teenagers. This is how they master the business model canvas, the art of negotiation, learn to calculate results and anticipate risks. They also buy equipment for their schools. Teachers of computer science from 20 schools improved their skills at Ukrainian Catholic University (UCU) under a separate educational program. We will transfer 1193 Taiwanese laptops, robots, and projectors with screens to about a hundred educational institutions,” says project coordinator Uliana Pak.

Lilia Bolovchak is a high school student at Lviv school №73. She is fond of history and is the head of the student government, and recently attended an entrepreneurship and innovation camp with her peers. Their school has already received ten modern robotics kits.

“We were interested in studying entrepreneurship, and we joined the project out of altruistic intentions. We really wanted something new to appear in our school. In the 11th grade, we won't have time to work with new robots. But for me, for example, it would have been interesting to deal with all these sensors and boards in my school days, to understand how the robot works. It's great that children now have such an opportunity,” says a participant of the entrepreneurship camp. 

Approximately 50% of school graduates who are good at math choose technical specialties, especially those related to IT, every year. Tetiana Skabara, principal of secondary school №90 in Lviv, emphasizes this trend. Future programmers and engineers get the basis of their knowledge at school, work hard together with their teachers, and compete in competitions and contests. 

“For a quality education, modern school facilities and a team of teachers who are proficient in technology and modern teaching aids are important. A teacher encourages children primarily by example. The teachers of our school applied for advanced training at UCU, and we have now been able to participate in a Ukrainian-Taiwanese project in the field of student education. We will apply again if the teacher training continues. This is a good experience and a chance to modernize the school,” explains Tetiana Skabara. 

The innovative education and computerization project “Leave no one behind partnership” is being implemented by the All-Ukrainian Democratic Forum NGO with the support of Taiwan and with the assistance of MP Mykola Kniazhytskyi, who has attracted charitable assistance. 

“Everything innovative should start at school. The one who is smarter is stronger; the one who has the latest inventions and developments wins. We live in a difficult time when many people do not believe in the future. But we do and we are investing in the development of education. Taiwan helps us teach Ukrainian children entrepreneurship and provides Ukrainian schools with computers. This gives hope to children and their parents. Educators will be able to work with technology and teach our children using the latest methods. We are working on this and are grateful to our international partners for their support,” Mykola Kniazhytskyi said.