On November 10, 2025, an educational event for first-year students of the “Journalism” and “International Relations” majors was held at the Petro Mohyla Black Sea National University – the training “Science without Borders and its Female Face: Ukrainian Experience”. The event was held within the framework of the implementation of the international project PROMENT – Erasmus+, aimed at the development of mentoring, tutoring and academic growth of young people.

The event was held under the “Gender Mentoring” scheme, which is being implemented at the P. Mohyla National University of Kyiv as part of the PROMENT project (“Promoting Professional Education and Active Participation of Students through the Formation of a Comprehensive System of Mentoring and Tutoring in Higher Education Institutions”). The speaker of the event, Candidate of Political Sciences, Associate Professor of the Department of International Relations and Foreign Policy Iryna Tykhonenko, shared with the students her own scientific experience and path of professional development, and spoke about participation in international research programs and opportunities for academic cooperation for young people.

The modern academic community needs specialists who are able to work in a global scientific environment, open to intercultural interaction and a gender-sensitive approach. That is why the training became an important event for students who are just starting their journey in science. The theme of “the female face of science” emphasized the role of women in shaping the intellectual potential of the country and their contribution to international cooperation.

The training discussed issues of developing female leadership in science, international integration of research, academic mobility, and the use of modern scientific communication tools such as ResearchGate, Google Scholar, Scopus, and Web of Science. Particular attention was paid to the topic of equal opportunities for women in science and the importance of a gender-sensitive approach in the educational environment.

During the meeting, the speaker presented a step-by-step “roadmap” for young researchers:

• how to determine your research topic and find a supervisor;
• how to start writing and publishing scientific articles;
• where to look for competitions, scholarships, international programs and think tanks;
• how to create your own scientific profile in ResearchGate, Google Scholar, Scopus, Web of Science;
• What opportunities does postgraduate study open up and how to become a Doctor of Philosophy.

Iryna Tikhonenko paid special attention to her own experience of internship at the ADASTRA think tank and participation in the Girls Diplomatic Academy 2.0 program, emphasizing that combining scientific activities with practical projects forms competent specialists of the new generation.

The event became not only a source of new knowledge, but also an inspiration for young researchers who are just starting their academic journey. Students noted that the training helped them see science not as an abstract field, but as an opportunity for self-realization without borders.

The organizers of the training expressed their gratitude to Iryna Tikhonenko for the meaningful and motivational meeting, as well as to the PROMENT project team for supporting young scientists and creating a space for their professional development.