On January 19, a free certificate programme entitled "Modelling and Analysis of Information Warfare Processes as a Tool for Protecting Democracy in the EU and for Countering Threats" was launched at the National University of Ostroh Academy.
The first lecture for the programme participants, titled "European Integration and Ukraine's Path to the European Union," was delivered by Alla Atamanenko, Doctor of Sciences in History, Full Professor, and the Head of the Department of International Relations and the Laboratory for the Study of Hybrid Threats.
The speaker discussed the historical context of EU enlargement and Ukraine's aspirations for European integration. Key topics included the Association Agreement, visa liberalisation, and Ukraine's status as an EU candidate. The speaker also addressed the challenges and opportunities associated with Ukraine's accession to the EU, as well as the impact of the ongoing war on Ukraine's EU integration.
Anatolii Nikitin, Doctor of Science (Physics and Mathematics), Full Professor, Head of the Department of Mathematics and Intelligent Computing, and project leader, commented:
Currently, it is challenging to overestimate the importance of the programme's subject matter. In today's global information society, the dynamics of events can rapidly change public opinion. The primary objectives of the project are to understand how information spreads, to create models that can quantitatively assess this spread, to consider random influences, and ultimately, to evaluate the resilience of social systems to counter potential destabilisation."
Olena Shershniova, Assistant to the Rector for Project Activities, Candidate of Sciences in Public Administration, Associate Professor, remarked:
"This project plays a crucial role in the university's strategic development and aims to enhance its expertise in information security and the protection of democratic values. It is closely aligned with Ostroh Academy's institutional priorities, which include internationalisation, the development of research capacity, and the adoption of European educational practices."
In the first module, the course lecturers will also address the following topics:
- EU Security Policy and Ukraine's Role in the European Defence Architecture
- Economic Challenges and Opportunities in Relations Between the EU and Ukraine
- Democracy, the Rule of Law, and Governance Reforms in Ukraine
- The EU's Approach to Hybrid Warfare and Ukraine's Experience in Countering Disinformation
It should be noted that the certificate programme is being carried out within the framework of the project "Modelling and Analysis of Information Warfare Processes as a Tool for Protecting Democracy in the EU and Countering Threats" (101238591 — EUDemCT — ERASMUS-JMO-2025-HEI-TCH-RSCH), implemented by Ostroh Academy National University with co-financing from the European Union. The project aims to address critical gaps in understanding disinformation mechanisms, the lack of standardised counterstrategies, and the low level of public awareness of information threats.
