Project

Promoting multimodal educational practices and teacher competencies in vocational education and training (VET): Ukraine - Finland Cooperation

Project sponsors

Project type
Development project
Implementation time
1.8.2025 - 31.12.2027
Project unit
School of Professional Teacher Education
Financing program
Finnish National Agency for Education
UN Sustainable development goals
Project description

Promoting Multimodal Educational Practices and Teacher Competencies in Vocational Education and Training: Ukraine-Finland Cooperation (MOTIVET4UA)

The MOTIVET4UA project strengthens cooperation between Finnish and Ukrainian higher education institutions (HEIs) in the development of vocational teacher education. HEIs play a vital role in teacher education, research, and advancing educational reform, and their significance is particularly pronounced during times of crisis and reconstruction. 

The Russian war in Ukraine has severely affected the country's education sector, hindering the provision of quality teaching and practical training. Despite these challenges, Ukraine has advanced reforms in vocational education and training (VET) based on the 2017 Law on Education. MOTIVET4UA supports these reforms by enhancing teacher educators' competencies in multimodal pedagogy, digital teaching, and the responsible use of AI. The project emphasizes research-based development and builds on the ongoing educational and research projects of the participating HEIs.

Project activities include webinars, seminars, joint research projects, as well as teacher and student exchanges. Through co-creation, HEIs share good practices and address common challenges, such as the digital and green transitions and the mitigation of war-related learning loss. 


Expected outcomes include peer-reviewed publications, digital learning materials, and practical tools to support teacher education. The project strengthens research capacity, develops teaching practices, and deepens international partnerships. In this way, MOTIVET4UA contributes to the resilience, renewal, and modernization of vocational teacher education in Ukraine, while reinforcing the strategic role of HEIs in shaping the future of VET.

The project is coordinated by the University of Jyväskylä. Partners include Hryhorii Skovoroda University and V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University in Ukraine, as well as the School of Professional Teacher Education at JAMK University of Applied Sciences in Finland.

More information: Heini Ikäheimo, firstname.lastname@jamk.fi

Webinar Series in Autumn 2025 – Welcome!

As part of the project's activities, the Research Insights into Vocational Teacher Education (VTE) webinar series will start in autumn 2025. The series highlights current research on vocational teacher education, learning resilience, and digital pedagogy, especially in times of crisis and change.

Experts from Finland and Ukraine will share insights and experiences, offering opportunities for knowledge exchange, peer learning, and co-development among higher education institutions.

First webinar: Tue 21 October, 14:00–16:00 (EET) 
Practices to Overcome Learning Losses – Prof. Oksana Kovtun, Vice-Rector of International Relations and Project Activities, Hryhorii Skovoroda University in Pereiaslav (Ukraine)

Register now! Go to the webinar registration form to sign up — you can register for all sessions in the series at once.

Webinar: Practices to overcome learning losses 21.10.2025

Professor Oksana Kovtun, from Hryhorii Skovoroda University in Pereiaslav (Ukraine), will speak in the webinar.

Webinar: VTE and System Reform towards a Competence-Based Approach 28.10.2025

Prof. Maryna Vasilyeva, Doctor of Pedagogical Sciences V.N. Karazin Kharkiv National University, Ukraine.

Webinar: Ecosystems of learning and continuous learning, November 4 2025

Webinar by Senior Researcher Maarit Virolainen: As societies undergo rapid technological transformation, education systems are challenged to evolve and take benefit from organizing learning through dynamic, digitalized learning ecosystems.

Webinaari: Sustainability and VET, Nov 18 2025

From GreenComp Sustainability Competences to Pedagogical Practice. Postdoctoral Researcher Anna Lehtonen, Finnish Institute for Educational Research, University of Jyväskylä, Finland.