On July 14, 2026, Nataliia Babych, Head of the Department of Speech Therapy at the Faculty of Psychology and Special Education at Borys Grinchenko Kyiv Metropolitan University, visited the Polish foundation PORTA VITAE (Republic of Poland). The foundation is dedicated to supporting children on the autism spectrum, as well as those with intellectual and multiple disabilities.
During the meeting with Hanna Lozynska, Director and Coordinator of the Foundation, a cooperation agreement was officially signed. This partnership aims to develop the University’s Bachelor's and Master's degree programs in Special Education (specifically the "Speech Therapy" study program) and to implement modern European standards in the training of future specialists.
As part of the visit, Nataliia Babych learned about the activities of Polish specialized institutions operating under the auspices of the Foundation. In particular, at the non-public special primary school (Niepubliczna Specjalna Szkoła Podstawowa Fundacja Porta Vitae), its Director, Anna Ritter, presented a modern educational system for children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), highlighting the specific organization of the educational process, as well as the didactic and instrumental resources used.
Additionally, Nataliia Babych studied the early intervention model at the special kindergarten Przedszkole Specjalne “Nasze Kolorowe Kredki”, where Director Justyna Ociepa-Huber demonstrated a comprehensive system of speech therapy, psychological, pedagogical, and medical support for children. Special attention was paid to the rehabilitation and therapy rooms (Rehabilitacja i terapia osób z autyzmem), where innovative equipment is integrated into daily therapeutic practice.
The implementation of this agreement opens up new strategic perspectives for Borys Grinchenko Kyiv Metropolitan University. In September, as part of the academic mobility program, eight third- and fourth-year undergraduate students will go to Poland for hands-on training in European therapeutic methods.
Developing such partnerships allows the University to integrate leading global practices into its educational process, enhance the competitiveness of its graduates in the job market, and strengthen its position within the European higher education and research area.
