українсько-німецька академічна співпраця
Fields of Activity
The TANDEM-UA-DE project provides students with a structured, step-by-step engagement in both academic learning and practical experience, guiding them from the preparation of study plans to integration into the international professional environment. Students move sequentially through online and hybrid learning, participate in on-site semesters in Germany, undertake internships at leading companies, and engage in trainings and collaborative projects with both Ukrainian and German instructors.
Preparation and Coordination of Study Plans
This stage involves comprehensive planning of the educational process through collaborative work between Ukrainian and German partner universities. Key competencies to be acquired by students, assessment standards, and criteria for academic success are defined, taking into account international educational standards and local regulatory requirements.
The alignment process includes holding working meetings and consultations between the relevant faculties and departments of both countries, preparing minutes of meetings, and drafting documents for internal approval and potential submission for international program accreditation. Particular attention is given to presenting the program to university leadership and international cooperation committees, allowing demonstration of the program’s concept, academic value, and interdisciplinary nature.
The expected outcome of this stage is a harmonized and formally approved curriculum that ensures the integration of theoretical knowledge and practical skills. In addition, clearly defined competencies and assessment criteria are established, the structure of educational modules is agreed upon, and responsibilities among partner universities are allocated, thereby laying the foundation for the further implementation of the program and its academic legitimacy.
Development of Joint Modules and Selection of Instructors
Within this stage, a comprehensive and structured development of twenty academic modules is undertaken, encompassing essential domains of contemporary digital technologies, management, the Internet of Things (IoT), international business, and innovative managerial methodologies. The module content is formulated in alignment with current scientific discourse, internationally recognized educational standards, and the competency demands of the global labor market. Each module is designed to incorporate explicitly articulated learning outcomes, a coherent thematic structure, a transparent assessment framework, curated academic and professional literature, as well as an integrated set of applied case studies and practice-oriented tasks.
Concurrently, an evidence-based and multi-criteria selection process for the teaching staff from Ukraine and Germany is implemented. The selection parameters include verified international professional experience, a relevant corpus of scholarly publications, documented pedagogical competencies, and prior involvement in international academic initiatives. Particular emphasis is placed on the candidates’ capacity to utilize interactive and student-centered teaching methods, digital and hybrid pedagogical instruments, and instructional approaches aimed at fostering critical thinking, analytical capacity, and applied problem-solving skills among students.
The outcomes of this stage include the formation of a fully harmonized and jointly validated package of instructional and methodological materials—comprising draft syllabi, structured module descriptions, assessment instruments, and teaching aids—which undergo internal academic review and quality assurance procedures at both partner institutions. Additionally, an officially approved roster of instructors from both countries is established. These results collectively ensure the academic rigor, methodological consistency, and international comparability of the program, thereby supporting its alignment with global higher education standards and strengthening its practical relevance for the professional development of students.
Online and Hybrid Learning (Semesters 1–4)
During the first four semesters, the educational process is delivered through online and hybrid modalities, utilizing contemporary digital educational technologies. Instruction encompasses both synchronous and asynchronous formats, including lectures, webinars, interactive seminars, virtual laboratories, as well as individual and group project-based assignments. This organizational approach ensures flexibility of the academic trajectory, fosters the development of independent learning skills, academic responsibility, and effective engagement in digital learning environments.
Particular emphasis is placed on the development of students’ digital competencies through the use of specialized learning management platforms, simulation systems, cloud-based services, and tools for business process modeling and project management. Students participate in multicultural online groups, which promotes the acquisition of communication, intercultural, and collaborative competencies.
Educational content and methodological materials are fully adapted for remote access, including video lectures, interactive presentations, electronic case studies, formative assessments, and practice-oriented tasks, ensuring high-quality knowledge acquisition regardless of delivery format. In addition, regular consultations, tutorial support, and continuous monitoring of academic progress are implemented to maintain learning outcomes and academic standards.
The expected outcome of this stage is the establishment of a stable and effective online learning environment that guarantees accessibility, supports interactive engagement, and develops competencies essential for students’ subsequent participation in international academic and professional practices.
In-Person Study in Germany (Semesters 5–6) and Professional Internships
At this stage of the program, students undertake two intensive semesters at the partner university in Germany, concurrently engaging in practical internships with leading partner companies. The educational process integrates both academic and practical components, including work on real-world business cases, research and analytical projects, and the completion of practice-oriented tasks that ensure the application of theoretical knowledge in professional contexts.
Particular emphasis is placed on developing students’ deep understanding of the dynamics of international business environments, enhancing professional competencies, managerial skills, analytical and strategic thinking. Practical training is organized to allow students to participate directly in real business processes, execute assignments under the guidance of experienced mentors, and acquire hands-on experience within international corporate settings.
Additionally, this stage promotes the development of professional networks, facilitates experience exchange with international colleagues, and increases graduates’ competitiveness in both national and international labor markets. The systematic integration of academic instruction and practical experience ensures the enhancement of educational quality, fosters intercultural competencies, and prepares students for professional activity in a global business environment.
The expected outcome is the successful integration of theoretical knowledge with practical skills, readiness for professional engagement at the international level, and initial experience participating in real business processes within multinational companies.
Professional Development of Academic and Administrative Staff
Within this component, academic faculty and administrative personnel of partner universities have the opportunity to participate in specialized training sessions and professional development programs designed to master contemporary teaching methodologies, digital educational technologies, and effective approaches to managing the academic process. Particular emphasis is placed on the integration of innovative pedagogical methods, adaptive use of electronic learning platforms, and approaches that foster the development of students’ critical thinking, analytical skills, and independent learning.
During the training sessions, participants discuss academic assessment standards, mechanisms for monitoring learning outcomes, and effective coordination between faculties and administrative departments of the universities. Updated procedural documents are developed and implemented to regulate curriculum organization, teaching quality standards, student assessment frameworks, and principles of inter-university collaboration within the program.
This component establishes a foundation for the continuous improvement of educational quality, standardization of academic processes, and alignment of the program with international academic standards. It ensures the enhancement of professional competencies, maintenance of high academic quality and standardization of educational practices, the establishment of an effective program management framework, and the preparation of staff for the implementation of international educational initiatives and the adoption of innovative teaching methodologies.
Program Evaluation and Adjustment
Within the framework of the project, a systematic collection and comprehensive analysis of feedback from students and academic staff is conducted regarding the content of academic modules, teaching methodologies, organizational forms of the educational process, and the achievement of intended learning outcomes. The analysis incorporates both qualitative and quantitative indicators of learning effectiveness, enabling the assessment of the program’s academic value, alignment with contemporary educational standards, and practical applicability of the acquired knowledge and competencies.
Based on the collected data, systematic program adjustments are implemented, including:
- updating instructional materials in accordance with current scientific research and practical case studies;
- introducing new assessment methods and knowledge control mechanisms;
- integrating contemporary topics, innovative methodologies, and relevant examples of practical activities;
- optimizing the structure and sequencing of academic modules to enhance the effectiveness of the educational process.
Additionally, agreements between partner universities may be established and periodically reviewed to ensure the legitimacy of the parallel (dual) degree, harmonization of academic standards, and compliance with international educational requirements.
The continuous enhancement of the academic program, improvement of its academic quality and practical relevance, ensures alignment with international education standards and establishes an effective system for monitoring and managing the educational process.
Alumni Network Development and Scaling of Results
Within the framework of the project, an active alumni community of the program is established, aimed at supporting professional networks, fostering interpersonal and intercultural connections, facilitating the exchange of practical and academic experience, and promoting the ongoing development of participants’ academic competencies. The alumni community may organize and coordinate scientific and practical conferences, thematic workshops, mentoring programs, and professional meetings, thereby maintaining an active educational and professional dialogue between graduates and current students.
Furthermore, the activities of the alumni community contribute to the establishment of mechanisms for scaling the program into new educational and research-practice directions. The experience gained is integrated into subsequent program cycles, supporting the updating of academic modules, the implementation of new teaching methodologies, and the enhancement of the program’s academic and practical value.
This approach ensures the sustainable development of the program, strengthens its international reputation, reinforces connections with employers and research institutions, and creates additional opportunities for the professional and career advancement of graduates at both national and international levels