UK-Ukraine 2024 “Universities’ Role in Ukraine’s Post-War Recovery”

8.7.2024

International Conference Twinning UK-Ukraine 2024 “Universities’ Role in Ukraine’s Post-War Recovery”.

SI “Luhansk Taras Shevchenko National University” was represented by the Director of the Institute of International Education Iryna MYHOVYCH and the staff of the International Relations Office at remarkable international event in Warsaw, Poland.

On July 4-5, on the basis of the British Embassy in Warsaw, as well as Vistula University, the Second International Twinning Conference “Universities’ Role in Ukraine’s Post-War Recovery” was held. It should be reminded that with the beginning of a full-scale invasion of Ukraine by the troops of the aggressor country, Great Britain launched a unique Twinning Ukraine project, the purpose of which is to create and promote the development of Ukrainian-British university partnerships, where the British partner supports Ukrainian. The organization of this project was entrusted by the UK government to the Cormack Consultancy Group. LTSNU from the very beginning participates in this large-scale international project in partnership with the University of Bath, Somerset, UK.

It should be emphasized that the project has strong institutional support at the national level of both countries, which is confirmed by the participation of representatives of the British and Ukrainian ministries, embassies, Universities UK International, British Council Ukraine, the Department of Science and Innovation of the Office of Foreign Affairs, Commonwealth and Development, the Fund of the President of Ukraine to support education, science and sports and rectors of a number of universities involved in the project. SI “Luhansk Taras Shevchenko National University” was represented by the Director of the Institute of International Education Iryna MYHOVYCH and the Head of the International Cooperation Sector of the International Relations Office Liudmyla OVCHAROVA.

At the beginning of the conference, the Chairman of the Cormack Consultancy Group Charles CORMACK congratulated the audience. Deputy Minister of Education and Science of Ukraine MYCHAILO WYNNYCKYJ spoke about the challenges of higher education over the years of full-scale invasion and the stability of the academic community. From the representative of the Ministry, the participants of the conference received information on further optimization of the network of educational institutions of Ukraine, heard about the challenges faced by universities, in particular, damage to energy infrastructure. “… The last two and a half years after a full-scale invasion have proved that partnership is not just words… Twinning is a long-term project and our cooperation with British universities is bearing fruit, so in five, seven and ten years we will build the best European continent for cooperation on both sides”, said MYCHAILO WYNNYCKYJ. Olga BUDNYK, Plenipotentiary Advisor of the Head of the State for the Fund of the President of Ukraine for the Support of Education, Science and Sports, emphasized the stability of academic communities in conditions of danger, spoke about the opportunities for scientists and students. “We are talking about internationalization as one of the main competitive advantages for our universities”, said Olga BUDNYK. The leading idea that united the performances of all participants without exception, – this is the fact that the Twinning project provides both immediate and long-term support to more than 100 participating partners, it is a source of opportunities for the next generations of Ukrainian youth, because it is already based on the humanitarian component of cooperation and already implemented activities, including a variety of schools, courses, trainings and master classes that have given and allow academic communities to develop. It should be noted that within the framework of participation in the project over the past two years SI “Luhansk Taras Shevchenko National University”, in cooperation with the University of Bath, received more than two tons of humanitarian aid to establish research and training in mathematical, chemical-biological and physical areas (avometers, pulse generators, logic analyzers, oscilloscopes, oscillatory frequency generators, digital multimeters, Farnell square oscillators, rotary evaporators, viscometers, etc.), project coordinator – Iryna V. MYHOVYCH; established a student academic mobility program (4 people, winter and summer semesters of the academic year 2022 – 2023); launched cooperation at the level of student associations of both universities and the joint development of a training course for foreign students “Current Trends in World Higher Education”, etc.

Summing up the work of the conference and the project as a whole, Martyn CUSHING, Director of the Department for Science and Innovation of Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, the UK, noted: “The partnership of the universities of Great Britain and Ukraine is critically important, [it] is about really urgent needs that need urgent solutions. The ideas that will be heard within this British-Ukrainian network, this inspiring community, will allow us to continue this real and tangible assistance to [Ukrainian universities] in a difficult situation, to continue to hear Ukrainian voices on the world stage”.

Institute of International Education
International Relations Office