On November 1, 2023, a focus group «University and community: strengthening cooperation» was held on the basis of the Donetsk State University of Internal Affairs, which was co-organized by the Public Union «Strategy of the Future» and the «Union of Women of Kirovohrad Region».

The purpose of the focus group was to determine cooperation between universities and communities for their further development.

The heads and representatives of communities of Kirovohrad region actively participated in the work of the focus group, namely Malovyskivska, Onufriivska, Pomichnianska, Katerynivska, Ketrysanivska, Pervozvanivska, Zna

myanska, Novoukrainian and Hayvoronivska communities; heads of departments of education, culture, tourism, health care and sports, Tetyana Kotenko, Head of the Public Organization «Strategy of the Future», SPO «Patriot», Head of the Charitable Foundation «Vargus».

The work of the focus group was opened by the rector of the university, Serhiy Vitvitskyi, emphasizing the importance of the university’s cooperation with communities in various aspects, namely, the provision of legal assistance to internally displaced and disadvantaged sections of the population; educational activities; driving school services for people with special needs, psychological help, etc.

The focus group was moderated by Olha Kuzmenko, doctor of pedagogy, professor, member of the Public Organization «Strategy of the Future».

Leading specialists, scientists, educators of the Donetsk State University of Internal Affairs presented to the heads and representatives of communities of the Kirovohrad region their developments regarding services that will be relevant for the social development of communities.

The directions of the focus group discussion were: forms of implementation of the third mission of universities according to the participants, definition of the third mission and its main components, priorities for cooperation between the university and the community in the context of implementation of the third mission of universities, etc.

During the event, heads of communities of Kirovohrad Oblast and heads of departments of education and science of communities took an active part in discussions of important problems for further development in the medical, psychological and legal fields.