Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) is showing its support for Ukraine by formally twinning with one of the country’s universities.
The partnership with Lesya Ukrainka Volyn National University (LUVNU), located in the city of Lutsk in northwestern Ukraine, will provide support in the short term, so that teaching and research can continue. In the longer term, the collaboration with LUVNU could develop to play an important role in the rebuilding of Ukraine.
LUVNU is home to the Ukrainian Psychotrauma Center (UPC), which examines the effects of war and trauma on groups and individuals. ARU’s Veterans & Families Institute for Military Social Research (VFI) is looking to work with Ukrainian academics to establish research projects and rehabilitation programmes to help Ukrainian veterans.
Amongst other joint projects, it is hoped that ARU’s School of Medicine and LUVNU’s Faculty of Medicine can work together to share knowledge and expertise in simulation medicine, which is a priority area for the Ukrainian university.
A Memorandum of Understanding will be signed by the two universities this week, and ARU and LUVNU plan to collaborate on cultural events, guest lectures, scientific conferences and seminars, and staff and student exchanges. There are also discussions of a formal partnership between the universities’ two students’ unions.
Since the start of the Russian invasion, over 95 professional pre-higher and higher education institutions have been damaged, and at least nine have been destroyed. Ukrainian universities have helped to organise mass evacuations, and some students and academics are now helping to protect their country on the frontline.
Dr Mark Norrish, Pro Vice Chancellor (International and Partnerships) at ARU, said: “We hope this partnership between our two institutions will make a real difference to the lives of students and academics in Ukraine, as well as show our solidarity for the people of the city of Lutsk.
“Universities play a vital role in transforming lives and helping the communities they serve, and we are proud to be one of a number of UK universities rallying together to support Ukrainian universities at their time of need.”
The partnership between ARU and LUVNU feeds into a new campaign called Twin for Hope (#twinforhope), which has been launched by Universities UK, the umbrella organisation for higher education.
Vivienne Stern MBE, Chief Executive of Universities UK, said: “I’m really proud of the way that the UK university sector has stepped up to play its part in the global response to enabling Ukrainian universities to get through this war and hopefully emerge stronger.”
