The Blue Economy of Ukraine has sustainable development prospects and strong support from the European community. Since 2022, the 4BIZ project for the development of the Blue Economy in the Black Sea region has been implemented, focusing on establishing a business cooperation structure in the areas of fisheries and aquaculture, coastal and maritime tourism, and maritime transport. As a result, leading companies in Ukraine’s Blue Economy sector have already received advisory support from top European experts, participated in brokerage events in Batumi, Constanța, and Varna. Their innovative projects were showcased at the “Sikorsky Challenge 2023” festival in the Blue Economy sector, where one of the categories was won by the Ukrainian Maritime Cluster member, “Gulfstream LLC.” Additionally, workshops in fisheries, aquaculture, coastal and maritime tourism, and maritime transport were very beneficial.
Recognizing the growing need for highly skilled and motivated innovators in aquaculture and fisheries each year, the 4BIZ Consortium has decided to launch an ambitious project. This involves the initiation of the International Student Competition “4BIZ INNOVATION CHALLENGE 2024,” dedicated to all aspects of the aquaculture and fisheries sector in the Black Sea region.
The Ukrainian Maritime Cluster, as the Ukrainian partner in the 4BIZ project, along with associated partners “Business Support Center LLC” and the Admiral Makarov National University of Shipbuilding (NUS), has begun preparing students to participate in this competition.
A meeting of proactive stakeholders was held, led by Olena Zhukova (Director of MDEM “Marine Design Engineering Mykolaiv,” Executive Director of the Ukrainian Maritime Cluster (UMC), Ph.D. in Economics, and Associate Professor of the ICE Department at Admiral Makarov National University of Shipbuilding (NUS)). The meeting included Artem Vashchylenko (Director of the “Business Support Center” LLC, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the UMC), the project team of the UMC, and representatives of Admiral Makarov National University of Shipbuilding: Vyacheslav Ivata (Ph.D. in Economics, Associate Professor, Dean of FEM), Oksana Korniyenko (Ph.D. in Economics, Associate Professor, Acting Head of the ICE Department), Olesya Kanash (Ph.D., Lecturer of the ICE Department), Iryna Nadtotchii (Doctor of Economics, Professor, Kherson Educational and Research Institute of NUS), and Yevgenia Markova (Doctor of Economics, Professor of the Kherson Maritime Faculty of Corporate and Regional Policy). The goal of the meeting was to explore ways to engage students of the Faculty of Marine Economics at NUS in the topic of the Blue Economy. Participants discussed the prospects of deepening the knowledge of NUS students in the Blue Economy, particularly through participation in projects like the Innovation Challenge 4BIZ 2024. Representatives from each organization and institution shared their perspectives on current issues and agreed on a further action plan.
On April 25, 2024, an important event for the Faculty of Marine Economics took place – a guest lecture by a top specialist in Ukraine’s aquaculture sector, Lyubomyr Haidamaka, Head of the company “Vismar Aqua LLC” and a member of the UMC.
Despite the full-scale military invasion of Ukraine, which has caused a global crisis, the economy continues to function. The Blue Economy is gaining strategic importance for the state and post-war recovery. This is due to the fact that Ukraine has favorable conditions and a wide range of opportunities for the development of marine economy sectors, particularly aquaculture. Therefore, students of the Faculty of Marine Economics, as potential representatives of the business community and government, must understand the potential of the Blue Economy to create a favorable business environment, drive quality changes, and increase the country’s competitiveness.
Lyubomyr Haidamaka conducted the lecture in a dialogue format with students, stating from the outset that the goal of the conversation was to identify vectors for the development of aquaculture specifically in the Mykolaiv region. The speaker first outlined the current situation in the industry in Ukraine and discussed the challenges faced by businesses due to political and legislative barriers in industrial fishing and aquaculture. He provided detailed information about the nursery-incubator created for the cultivation of whiteleg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) located on the shore of the Tiligul Estuary in Mykolaiv Oblast, and discussed the specifics of the business and plans for development.
The specialist emphasized that the key to success is self-education, curiosity, and an insatiable thirst for new knowledge. In addition, proficiency in foreign languages, particularly English, is not just an additional skill but an integral part of communication. He also supported the students’ desire to try their hand at working on startup projects in the field of aquaculture within the framework of the 4BIZ Innovation Challenge 2024, offered valuable ideas, and agreed to provide expert consultation.
The UMC team of specialists, in cooperation with colleagues, continues to prepare students for the competition and will work to maximize the involvement of young professionals in the development of Ukraine’s Blue Economy.
For more details about the competition, you can visit the following links:
https://bsun.org/media/4BIZ_Innovation_Challenge_2024-ConceptProgram_08.04.2024.pdf
https://bsun.org/media/4BIZ_Innovation_Challenge_2024-Competition_Rules_08.04.2024.pdf