The roundtable at Cambridge Judge Business School – a shining example of international academic cooperation

On March 4, a roundtable discussion titled "Integration of Ukrainian Women Entrepreneurs in Ukraine and the UK: Challenges and Support in the Context of Forced Displacement" was held at Cambridge Judge Business School (CJBS) in Cambridge, UK. The event was a great example of international academic collaboration. It was organized by Prof. Andrei Kirilenko and Prof. Anna Chechel with the support of the University's Policy Support Research Fund in England and the Wo+Men’s Leadership Centre.

Dozens of Ukrainian women entrepreneurs, representatives from academia, business, government, and international organizations participated in the discussion. The entrepreneurs shared their experiences of business recovery and scaling under new conditions, discussed support mechanisms, and explored opportunities for international partnerships.

Key topics of discussion: 

• Challenges faced by women in business under forced displacement 
• Experience of economic integration in the UK and Ukraine 
• The role of social entrepreneurship in post-war recovery and sustainable regional development 
• International academic cooperation as a key factor in supporting entrepreneurship

The participation of Mariupol State University (MSU) in this event highlights the importance of global academic partnerships. The MSU delegation was led by Rector Prof. Mykola Trofymenko, with Prof. Denys Tarasenko, Director of the Institute of Management, and Dr. Iryna Sikorska, Director of the Center for International Education, also in attendance.

Rector of MSU Mykola Trofymenko emphasized that international academic cooperation opens up new opportunities for Ukrainian educators, students, and entrepreneurs:

"Collaboration with leading global universities, including Cambridge Judge Business School, helps Ukrainian teachers, students, and entrepreneurs acquire new knowledge, expand business development opportunities, and strengthen academic initiatives. This is a key element in Ukraine's recovery and its integration into the international scientific and business community."

This event reaffirmed that academic initiatives and partnerships play a vital role in supporting Ukrainian entrepreneurship and the country's economic recovery.