From 22–24 September 2025, Kozminski University hosted the second edition of the TURBO Conference, titled “Higher Education, Capacity Building and Societal Crises: International Perspectives”. TURBO stands for The Universities’ Reaction to Big Obstructions: Building Resilient Higher Education to Respond and Manage Societal Crises. The project, led by Nord University (Norway), is funded by the European Union (ERASMUS-EDU-2023-CBHE) under grant agreement No 101129315. The three-day event brought together scholars, policymakers, and practitioners to reflect on the evolving role of universities in addressing societal challenges during times of crisis.
Keynotes and opening remarks The conference opened with a keynote by Mariusz Rafał Frankowski, Voivode of the Masovian Voivodeship, who emphasized how public institutions can strengthen societal resilience in turbulent times. His remarks, grounded in Poland’s experience, set the stage for broad discussions on education, democracy, and crisis management. Øystein Bø, Ambassador of Norway to Poland, highlighted the importance of international cooperation and the future of education and sustainability.
Thematic sessions and research presentations Across multiple parallel sessions, participants explored themes such as democracy and resilience, as well as wartime challenges facing public institutions. Presenters shared research on urgent issues including:
- accreditation of study programs during wartime,
- the resilience of civil servants under martial law,
- and the role of higher education in fostering social reintegration.
Contributions from global experts On the second day, Prof. Muhammad Zaman (Boston University) examined the role of STEM education in contexts of forced displacement. Later, Prof. Petter Nore (Nord University/High North Center) discussed the future competence needs of Ukraine’s energy sector and their implications for higher education.
Workshops and in-depth discussions Workshops and thematic tracks, moderated by project coordinators Prof. Veronika Vakulenko and Prof. Anatoli Bourmistrov, added further depth to the debates. Topics included business–migration relations, strategies for migrant inclusion, and the role of international collaboration in strengthening institutional resilience. Particularly notable were sessions dedicated to Ukraine’s displaced populations, focusing on retraining, integration, and demographic security.
Young Scholars Track and closing reflections The final day featured round-table debates and the Young Scholars Track, where early-career researchers presented innovative projects on education, social security systems, and the sustainable development of business schools in times of crisis.
Networking and collaboration Beyond the formal program, the conference created valuable opportunities for networking and collaboration, facilitated by KU project leaders Dr. Grygoriy Kravchenko and Dr. Valentyna Guminska. Cultural and social events in Warsaw were coordinated by the KU team under the leadership of Lucjan Chilmon.
TURBO Conference II reaffirmed the essential role of higher education not only in responding to crises but also in building long-term societal resilience through research, dialogue, and innovation.
Participating institutions
- International Charitable Foundation for Social Adaptation (IFSA)
- Yuriy Fedkovych Chernivtsi National University
- Lviv Polytechnic National University
- West Ukrainian National University
- Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv
- Chernihiv Polytechnic National University
- South Ukrainian National Pedagogical University named after K.D. Ushynsky
- Vinnytsia National Technical University
- National Social Service of Ukraine
- Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine
- National Agency for Higher Education Quality Assurance (NAQA), Ukraine
- Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills (HK-DIR)
- Nordland County Administration (NFK)
- Bodø Regional Development Company (BRUS)
- Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad)
