In June 2025, the historic city of Gdańsk hosted a key international workshop within the framework of the AFID project – Academic Freedom and Inclusion through Digitalisation. The event brought together partners from Ukrainian and European universities to present pilot results, reflect on the current state of the project, and jointly shape the next steps in developing the Multi-Institutional Inclusive Virtual Campus (MIIVC).

The workshop began with an informal welcome dinner in the heart of Gdańsk’s Old Town, setting the tone for open dialogue and collegial exchange. The following days were rich in presentations, discussions, and collaborative work. Project partners shared the outcomes of their institutional pilot implementations, highlighted both achievements and challenges, and proposed ideas for improvement. Notable presentations came from:

• Dnipro University of Technology 

• State University of Trade and Economics (Kyiv) 

• Simon Kuznets Kharkiv National University of Economics 

• Lviv Polytechnic National University 

Special attention was given to the development of the VIC IT infrastructure, the concept of Certification 3.0, mechanisms for quality assurance, and the elaboration of the Protocol of Accession to the virtual campus. An external expert delivered an evaluation of the project’s implementation, and participants explored strategies to ensure the sustainability of the VIC platform and its effective outreach to various target groups.

A dedicated session addressed a crucial topic: inclusivity in higher education during Ukraine’s post-war recovery. This discussion emphasized that creating accessible and flexible learning environments requires not only technical solutions but also a shift in educational values and approaches.

On the final day, partners took part in a coordination session, clarified upcoming tasks, and held individual meetings to deepen cooperation and align future activities.

The Gdańsk workshop was more than just a milestone meeting — it was a source of genuine inspiration. It demonstrated how international academic collaboration can foster a shared vision for the future of higher education based on freedom, equality, and digital openness.