UK universities are twinning with Ukrainian institutions to offer support to students and academics and, so far, around 30 universities have expressed interest in joining the scheme, according to iNews.
The scheme is being co-ordinated by Cormack Consultancy Group with the support of Universities UK (UUK), who said that conversations started this week.
Access To Online Resources
iNews reports that there are plans to give Ukrainian academics access to libraries and other online resources by providing them with a UK university email address.
Another short-term initiative may include allowing Ukrainian students to take online modules at UK universities with credits which their home institutions will recognise.
Vice-chancellor of the University of Liverpool and chair of UUK’s international policy network, Professor Dame Janet Beer, said: ‘UK universities have unequivocally condemned the war on Ukraine and we are committed to supporting Ukrainian staff and students currently in the UK as well as those who arrive here fleeing the conflict.’
‘Our universities have a wealth of resources, knowledge and expertise, and we want to find practical ways to support Ukrainian universities now and in the future.’
Edge Hill University is one of the institutions involved and has been twinned with the Yaroslav Mudryi National University of Law in Kharkiv. Pro Vice-Chancellor with responsibility for Research, Professor George Talbot, said:
‘Edge Hill University is very pleased to have been twinned with the Yaroslav Mudryi National University of Law through this scheme. We had already been in talks since last October as we have shared research interests in relation to international cyber-space regulation and policy.’
‘The recent invasion has added urgency to the arrangement, and we are now redoubling our efforts to support students and colleagues there more widely, as best we can,’ Professor Talbot said.
Focusing Support
Charles Cormack, founder and chairman of Cormack Consultancy Group, explained that the project designed to support Ukrainian universities to continue to function.
He said: ‘By supporting them in their mission we are also minimising the risk of brain drain, with academics and students disappearing into the higher education systems of other countries.’
‘It also allows UK universities to focus their support on a particular partner, which allows them to see they are making a real difference to the lives of academics and students and helping to sustain their partner.’