Within the framework of cooperation between Kyiv National Economic University named after Vadym Hetman and the University of Konstanz (Germany), students of the Faculty of Finance participated in the “Advanced Corporate Finance 2026” project, which is part of the DUHN programme (German‑Ukrainian Higher Education Network) supported by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space of Germany (BMFTR).
The project represents a continuation of the joint delivery of the “Corporate Finance” course by Prof. A. Kind (Department of Corporate Finance, University of Konstanz) and Prof. O. Tereshchenko (Department of Corporate Finance and Controlling, KNEU), launched in 2022.
In the current year, the Advanced Corporate Finance course is structured into two modules:
Modul 1. Economic Foundations of Corporate Finance and Corporate Governance (Prof. А. Kind).
Modul 2. Cost of capital and enterprise value (Prof. O. Tereshchenko)
The project involved 13 students (primarily at the undergraduate level), who were divided into small groups. Each group conducted an in-depth analysis of corporate governance and performed a valuation of two companies selected by the team (one Ukrainian and one German/Swiss). The participants analyzed well-known public companies, including MHP, Ferrexpo, BayWa, Astarta-Kyiv, Glencore, Kyivstar, Deutsche Telekom, and others.While working on the course, students had the opportunity to immerse themselves in an international academic environment, collaborate in teams, and present the results of their research to professors from both the Ukrainian and German sides. Tutorials were delivered by associate professor Olha Honcharenko.
A number of students presented the results of their work at the University of Konstanz during their visit from 17 to 23 May, while others participated in a colloquium held via videoconference. During the visit, participants had the opportunity to attend offline lectures, meet students from the partner university, and experience firsthand the atmosphere of an international academic environment. In addition, meetings were organized with representatives of various university departments, where students learned about academic mobility opportunities and available grant programmes, as well as received answers to all their questions.
A separate element of the programme was a guided tour of the university and its library, which impressed participants with its scale and resources (in particular, the annual budget for acquiring literature and licenses amounts to approximately EUR 3 million). Students also highlighted the flexibility of the educational system, notably the wide range of elective courses and the opportunity to design individual learning paths.
According to participants’ feedback, the Advanced Corporate Finance project is far more than mastering business valuation tools or adding another line to a CV. It is about the environment, the people, and the international collaboration that shapes a new perspective on the profession.
In their feedback, students especially emphasized:
the interactive learning format and lectures by Prof. A. Kind, which combine in-depth theoretical insights with a strong practical focus;
the development of public speaking skills and the opportunity to receive constructive feedback from Prof. A. Kind and Prof. O. Tereshchenko;
the opportunity to gain experience in engaging with an international academic environment;
the ability to apply English in a professional context;
the combination of academic learning with travel and immersion in the culture of the Bodensee region.
Additional emphasis is placed on the support provided by the teaching staff and project organizers, which enabled students to fully focus on their studies. Participants also share their own recommendations:
not to be afraid of communication and to ask more questions, as this opens up new opportunities;
to take the selection of team members seriously, as effective collaboration directly impacts the outcome;
to make the most of all available opportunities, even if this requires additional effort, as such experience pays off many times over.
Participants also noted the city of Konstanz and its picturesque surroundings as an additional highlight, particularly Lake Constance set against the backdrop of the Alpine mountains.
Upon completion of the course, students received an international certificate confirming the acquisition of additional competencies and strengthening their competitive position in the labor market. Overall, the project enabled participants not only to deepen their knowledge in corporate finance, but also to gain practical experience in international collaboration, enhance their analytical and presentation skills, and develop a more global perspective on financialprocesses.
The Advanced Corporate Finance project serves as a compelling example of how international academic cooperation creates valuable educational experiences that integrate knowledge, practice, and a global context.