UK universities partner with Ukrainian institutions in twinning campaign

Universities in the UK have lent support to institutions in Ukraine through a twinning campaign, creating long-term partnerships that can provide targeted support. 

Over 75 long-term partnerships have now been created through the #TwinForHope campaign, which aims to ensure Ukraine’s universities are able to emerge stronger from the war with Russia and contribute towards the post-war rebuilding process. 

The campaign, led by Universities UK International and Cormack Consultancy Group, has received political support in both countries, with the UK government announcing funding to support the programme and President Zelensky’s office welcoming the scheme. 

The project set a target of more than 100 long-term, sustainable partnerships and so far over 75 UK universities have signed up to the scheme. Notable partnerships that have been established include one between the University of Edinburgh and Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv. 

UK universities are offering support by helping their Ukrainian counterparts teach remotely, hosting their staff and students on UK campuses, providing access to libraries and laboratories, and offering free places on summer schools to enable Ukrainian students to catch-up on missed studies. 

Support is also being provided with mental health resources, particularly for those suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to the war. Long-term, UK universities will also be helping to rebuild campuses that have been damaged or destroyed in the conflict. 

Many Ukrainian universities are still looking to partner with a UK institution and there has been talk of expanding the scheme to include universities in Ireland, the US and Canada. 

Vivienne Stern MBE, Director of Universities UK International, said: “We are delighted the UK government is putting its weight behind this extraordinary scheme, through which UK universities have paired up with Ukrainian universities to help them to continue to operate...These are significant and long-term commitments, and the solidarity shown between universities in the UK and Ukraine has been remarkable and inspiring to witness.” 

Universities wishing to participate in the #TwinForHope campaign can find out more through the Cormack Consultancy Group.