Business Practice in Norway 2019
The course Business Practice in Norway took place in Bodø from the 4th to the 10th of August 2019. A total of 16 Ukrainian bachelor students from three Ukrainian partner institutions visited Bodø. The students came from Kyiv (Taras Shevchenko National University in Kyiv), Chernivtsi (Yuriy Fedkovych Chernivtsi National University), and Mykolaiv (Petro Mohyla Black Sea University).
During the week in Norway, the students got a first-hand experience of Norwegian management and business practices, as well as theoretical understanding of management frameworks employed in Norwegian organizations.
Through our close cooperation with local organizations, the students visited the National Aviation Museum in Bodø, Meløy Utvikling and Glomfjord Industrial Park (including companies Yara Glomfjord, Bilfinger, Industrivisualisering), the County Council of Nordland and the distribution terminal of the Norwegian Postal Services in Bodø.
The theoretical lectures at Nord University were provided by researcher Andrey Mineev, professor Anatoli Bourmistrov of the Nord University Business School, as well as Irina Roddvik, associate professor of the University of South-Eastern Norway. At the end of the week, the students employed relevant theoretical frameworks and presented their solutions to their assigned tasks from the companies in the form of a presentation and a written report. Upon completion, the students were awarded 7,5 ECTS.
Finally, during their free time, Nord University also organized a social and cultural program for the students in form of a city excursion to Bodø, trip to Svartisen glacier, and hike to Keiservarden mountain. Along with the studies, such social and cultural programs proved to be an important building block for mutual understanding and cooperation spirit for the participants of the course.
Business Practice in Ukraine 2019
In the end of September 2019, a group of 5 Norwegian master students from Management Control specialisation participated at one week Business Practice trip. This trip was organized for the 4th time in Kyiv during 21-28 September.
During their trip the students got opportunity to extend their understanding of how business operates in Eastern Europe. They visited local businesses, which represented various sectors of the Ukrainian economy, namely: jewelry factory, crafted beef brewery and apple garden, as well as public organizations and NGOs, which play important role in re-building Ukrainian public sector. Importantly, students were warmly welcomed by Norwegian companies that run business in Ukraine: Itera and Egersund Seafood. In addition, the group of Norwegian and Ukrainian students visited the Royal Embassy of Norway. During the reception, Ambassador Ole T. Horpestad introduced students into current political situation in Ukraine and on international arena.
As a result of the trip, the report collecting students' diaries from the trip will be published.
Graduation of the first group of Ukrainian students in Kyiv
27.09.2019
On September 27, 2019, at the Red (main) Building of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, the first group of 9 Ukrainian students received their diplomas from Nord University Business School. The official ceremony was led by Volodymyr Bugrov, Dr., Prof., Vice Rector for education, who spoke about importance of this double program for Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv. Among present on the ceremony were representatives from partner institutions, namely Anzhela Ignatiuyk (Dean of the Faculty of Economics) and Igor Lyutyy (project coordinator) from KNU, Anatoli Bourmistrov (project coordinator) and Veronika Vakulenko (project assistant) from Nord University and other participants of the project, who actively contributed to the development of double degree program.
After official speeches, the students received diplomas from Nord University Business School, thus becoming officially recognized international specialists in the field of Public Sector Economy. Congratulations!
Variety of research topics for master theses
Master students applying for the program can choose from a wide spectrum of research topics in the field of public budgeting, accounting, and financial management in the context of public or public-private entities (e.g., territorial government entities, universities, healthcare institutions, state-owned enterprises, public and private partnerships, NGOs, and many others).
The topics of master theses written by students graduated in 2019 are listed below and are available online. Enjoy reading!
Anzhelika Biletska
Peculiarities of spreading of public-private partnerships in a developing country -the case of Ukraine
Olena Danylenko
Bohdan Dorosh
Roman Dudnyk
Oleksiy Kondratenko
Yaroslava Kryvoruchko
Governmental debt management in Ukraine (not currently available online)
Olga Kuchevska
Hlib Polianovskyi
Oleksandra Tymoshenko
IPSAS implementation in the Ukrainian public sector (not currently available online)
Best master thesis award
Each year graduates of MSc programs at Nord University Business School participate in a competition for the best master thesis award. However, for the first time in 2019 Ukrainian students got this opportunity to compete as well.
In 2019 the following categories were formed, for each 2-3 students were nominated:
- Public sector
- Research with particular relevance for the business community
- Energy / internationalization
- The overall business community
- Tourism
- Banking and finance
We are delighted to share that Bogdan Dorosh, a graduate of MSc in Public sector economy, won in Public Sector category. Bogdan was awarded a certificate of 10,000 NOK for his master thesis titled "The role of control in shaping dialogue in participatory budgeting: case study of the city of Kyiv".
Presentation of Master Thesis
On 4th of June, 2019, 9 Ukrainian master students, the first group enrolled for the double degree program in MSc in Public Sector Economy, presented the results of their master theses in Kyiv. The outlined topics of the master theses touched numerous issues in the context of Ukrainian and Norwegian public sector: pension system, debt management, public procurement, participatory budgeting, public-private partnerships, state financing of energy sector, implementation of IPSAS, financing of higher educational institutions and effects on amalgamation.
The evaluation committee included Ukrainian, Norwegian and international scholars, who graded students' written theses and oral presentations.
After completing the grading process, the results were announced and students were congratulated with their achievements and preliminary diplomas from Nord University Business School were handled.
Presentation of Master Thesis
On 4th of June, 2019, 9 Ukrainian master students, the first group enrolled for the double degree program in MSc in Public Sector Economy, presented the results of their master theses in Kyiv. The outlined topics of the master theses touched numerous issues in the context of Ukrainian and Norwegian public sector: pension system, debt management, public procurement, participatory budgeting, public-private partnerships, state financing of energy sector, implementation of IPSAS, financing of higher educational institutions and effects on amalgamation.
The evaluation committee included Ukrainian, Norwegian and international scholars, who graded students' written theses and oral presentations.
After completing the grading process, the results were announced and students were congratulated with their achievements and preliminary diplomas from Nord University Business School were handled.
Anti-corruption seminar
On 3rd June, 2019, a guest lecture by Massimo Sargiacomo, professor at University G.d'Annunzio of Chieti, Italy was held at the Faculty of Economics of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv. The title of the lecture was "Accounting and the fight against corruption". Given the growing number of cases and scandals related to various aspects of financial mismanagement and money laundering, this topic is currently becoming more and more relevant for Ukraine during its fight against corruption and strive to improve public sector transparency.
Opening of the Ukrainian-Norwegian Center
On 23rd May 2019, the partner institutions: Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, the Faculty of Economics, Department of Finance (further – KNU), Nord University Business School, Department of Economic Analysis and Accounting (further – NU) and the High North Center for Business and Governance (further – NOS) have established a Research Center. Its full name is the Ukrainian-Norwegian Center for International Education and Research in the Area of Public Sector Economy will be operated on the premises of the Faculty of Economics.
The Center was officially opened by Ole T. Horpestad, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Norway to Ukraine and Oleksandr Rozko, Vice Rector for Research, KNU (see photo).
During the opening, the Memorandum between Nord University and Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv was signed by Oleksandr Rozko (Vice Rector for Research, KNU), Anzhela Ignatiuyk (Dean of the Faculty of Economics, KNU), Frode Mellemvik (Director of NOS), and Anatoli Bourmistrov (Head of Department of Economic Analysis and Accounting, NU). The document stated the main tasks of the Center, such as dissemination activities related to NUPSEE project and experience-sharing among the members of Norwegian-Ukrainian University Alliance (NUUA) and continuation of harmonization of Ukrainian educational programs. Good luck to the newly established Center!
Forum Kyiv
21 - 24 May 2019
During 21-24 May 2019, the Faculty of Economics of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv hosted the EFBM 2019 International Forum: Economics ∙ Finance ∙ Business ∙ Management. Titled as "Global Economic Challenges and Opportunities of the Digital Age", this event aimed at providing scholars and practitioners with a platform for communicating and sharing knowledge, ideas, and practical recommendations to tackle the critical issues of global and national economies.
Among Norwegian colleagues, who held their speeches during the Forum, were: Frode Mellemvik, Anatoli Bourmistrov, Veronika Vakulenko, Olga Iermolenko, Elena Dybtsyna, Roman Vakulchuk and Chamara Kuruppu. The issues of public sector accounting, budgeting and finance gathered both Ukrainian and Norwegian colleagues in a section "World trends and prospects for the development of the Ukrainian financial system". Such issues as public finance in the conditions of globalization of national economies and local diversities of financial management practices were vividly discussed.
Importantly, all the participants of the section were invited to submit their final manuscripts to the Journal of Public Budgeting, Accounting and Financial Management. The editor-in-chief of the journal, Giuseppe Grossi (Professor of Accounting at Nord University Business School) confirmed that there is currently significant academic interest in papers dealing with the issues presented.