New Perspectives in Science Education

The paper presents the Youth Scientific Academy (YSA) at the University of Library Studies and Information Technologies (ULSIT) as a new and effective form of university educational strategy implemented in practice. Established as an institutional framework for supporting young researchers, the Academy is based on the principle “Learning by Doing” and applies an interdisciplinary approach that integrates education, research, and innovation. YSA brings together students, doctoral candidates, young academics, and experts from diverse scientific fields, encouraging collaborative knowledge creation and active participation in real research environments. The Academy is managed and developed through the collective efforts of young researchers within the university, which strengthens academic self-governance, responsibility, and peer learning. Its core mission is to make science attractive and accessible to young people by engaging them directly in the organization and implementation of scientific and educational activities. This mission is realized through a wide range of initiatives, including scientific conferences, round tables, exhibitions, seminars, practical workshops, hackathons, winter and summer schools, and interdisciplinary field research. Students and doctoral candidates are not only participants but also active contributors to the planning, execution, and dissemination of these activities, which enhances their research skills, critical thinking, teamwork, and academic communication competencies. The Academy functions as a dynamic educational environment that complements formal curricula and supports experiential learning across the fields of humanities, social sciences, information and communication sciences, computer sciences, and national security studies. The experience of the Youth Scientific Academy demonstrates that such a practice-oriented, interdisciplinary, and youth-driven model can serve as a sustainable university educational strategy, fostering motivation for scientific engagement, strengthening research culture among young people, and contributing to the development of an innovative and inclusive academic community.

Keywords: interdisciplinary approach; learning by doing; university educational strategy; young researchers; Youth Scientific Academy.

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