United for Ukraine

How the University has supported those impacted by the ongoing invasion

Peace dove in blue, yellow and white Ukraine colours.Shutterstock 2159480727

Since February 2022, much of the world has watched in shock and awe at events unfolding in Ukraine. Shock at the country’s invasion, the destruction of its towns and cities, the displacement of its people. Awe at the resilience of those people, the courage of its forces, the way the whole country has responded in the face of intense and unimaginable struggle.

Soon after the invasion, the focus for individuals and organisations in the UK shifted from horrified bystanders to active supporters. Families across the country opened their homes to Ukrainians fleeing the fighting. Aid packages were hastily assembled and transported across Europe in cars, vans and lorries. And institutions, such as the University, actively sought ways to support their counterparts with no end to the invasion immediately in sight.

Just months after the invasion began, the University had signed formal twinning agreements with two universities – the State University of Infrastructure and Technology (SUIT) in Kyiv, and the Kherson State Maritime Academy (KSMA) – as part of the Universities UK #TwinForHope campaign. Both had been impacted in different ways by the evolving situation, their buildings damaged by Russian forces, their staff and students in exile all over Europe.

Twin for Hope campaign image. Blue and yellow hands holding each other to represent colours of Ukraine flag.

The immediate focus was to identify and meet practical needs such as IT infrastructure and mental health support. In the case of SUIT, the University has also transported an electricity generator – donated and adapted by Princess Yachts – to enable research and support staff to keep working during temporary electricity blackouts.

In addition to these formal partnerships, the University found other ways to directly support those affected by the invasion. The Peninsula Medical School ran a summer school for medical students whose studies have been interrupted and seven students from regions around Ukraine visited the campus in August 2022.

They gained hands-on experience in areas such as clinical and communication skills, ultrasound, anatomy and patient safety, using the state-of-the-art technology available on our campuses and at Plymouth Science Park. An additional 50 Ukrainian students took part in an online summer school, with features including healthcare systems, image interpretation, emergency medicine, presentations by the General Medical Council, as well as some of the activities of the ‘in-person’ programme.

The biggest challenge at the moment of course is that we don’t know our future – we can’t say what our career aspirations are, because we simply don’t know what we’re going back to. As we study here, people are hiding underground being shelled and tortured, it’s just impossible to convey how horrific it is. But while this uncertainty and horror continues, we do know that the war will one day end – and when it does, we want to be ready to help people. This summer school has definitely helped to prepare us for that.

Student Daria Kuzmina from Kharkiv

Visitors were the special guests at a Civic Reception in The Box, Plymouth

Visitors from the State University of Infrastructure and Technology with Professor Kevin Jones

Seven medical students from Ukraine visited the University for a summer school to enhance their clinical skills

This engagement with the Higher Education sector in Ukraine is not about short term fixes. Discussions have already taken place about mutually beneficial research and teaching partnerships with both our twinned universities, with the focus on restoring and bolstering a vibrant HE sector in Ukraine. For example, joint research projects – with co-investigators from both institutions – have already been launched. “We’re really pleased that we’re in the rare position of helping not one, but two universities,” said Professor Dafydd Moore, Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor. “While the immediate future remains challenging, the resilience and optimism of our colleagues at both SUIT and KSMA is extraordinary. It is something that we at Plymouth hope to support over what we all hope will be brighter years ahead.”

In February 2023, following months of online discussions, a delegation from SUIT made their first visit to Plymouth. It also marked the first time in a year that they had been able to meet in person, with the three visitors presently living in the Netherlands, Portugal and Ukraine. They toured the maritime facilities on our campuses, spoke to academics from across all three faculties about potential future projects, and visited Plymouth Science Park. They were also the special guests at a Civic Reception, hosted by the Lord Mayor of Plymouth, in The Box. Olena Kostenko, SUIT’s Vice-Rector for International Relations and Postgraduate Studies said:

The last year has been incredibly challenging and we do not know when we will all be able to get back to Kyiv with our families. The partnership with the University of Plymouth is already making a huge difference, and the support we have received from everyone here has been fantastic. This visit has enabled us to expand our discussions and we are all feeling positive about how they might build for the future.

Also in February this year, the University secured funding to establish a dual degree with KSMA. It forms part of a twinning scheme being coordinated by Cormack Consultancy Group and the President of Ukraine’s Fund for Education, Science, and Sports, with support from Universities UK International.