On October 4th and 5th 2013 research and training conference "Scientific park and innovation infrastructure of a university as the basis for the development of education and science" was held at the Lesya Ukrainka Eastern European National University in Lutsk, uniting leaders of higher educational institutions of Ukraine, national and international organizations and foundations, scientists and professionals in education. Martin Dowle, director of the British Council in Ukraine, has also attended the conference and presented priorities of the organisation in the field of higher education.
The aim of the conference was to consolidate efforts of scientists, authorities and institutions with different types of ownerships to optimize the strategy for university innovative development, expand the scope of activities in terms of making scientific developments profitable and promoting them on the world markets, create a powerful national infrastructure in education and science as the basis for economic development of Ukraine.
The conference was headed by Yevhen Sulima, the First Deputy Minister of Education and Science of Ukraine, who opened the event mentioning that "the creation of a powerful national education and research infrastructure is essential for economic development of Ukraine, as innovative solutions of scientists and their practical implementation are one of the most powerful driving forces for its development”
Within the framework of the conference a plenary meeting with participation of representatives of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, state and local authorities, leaders of higher educational institutions of Ukraine and enterprises of various industries was held. The plenary session began with a presentation of Igor Kotsan, Rector of the Lesya Ukrainka Eastern European National University on “How universities can earn money". Then Mr. Sulima talked about legal aspects of improvement of education and science in Ukraine and also noted that "learning English language, publishing research papers in foreign professional journals, scientific parks are the components of modern higher education."
Afterwards Martin Dowle, Director of the British Council in Ukraine, spoke about the priorities of the organization in the field of higher education, such as fostering relationship between Ukrainian and British universities and improving English language proficiency in higher education institutions.
During the conference participants discussed development of the innovative infrastructure of universities, technology transfer, ways of making the work of higher educational institution profitable and cooperation with international organizations.