ATHENA Joins European Alliances in Strategic Meeting for Ukrainian Higher Education Support

On 13 March, the University of Strasbourg (France) hosted a high-level conference entitled “European and Ukrainian University Strategic Partnership.” The event was attended by representatives of government agencies of Ukraine and the European Union, the European Parliament, the European Commission, as well as heads of leading Ukrainian and European universities.

The event in Strasbourg was held under the patronage of the Vice-President of the European Parliament Ewa Kopacz, former Prime Minister of Poland. The event was also attended by Mychailo Wynnyckyj, Deputy Minister for Education of Ukraine, , and Jiri Nantl, Deputy Minister for Education of the Czech Republic.

The gathering focused on the present challenges and future directions for collaboration with Ukrainian universities amidst war-related challenges. Deputy Minister for Education, Mychailo Wynnyckyj, detailed the adversities faced by Ukrainian Higher Education Institutions due to the war, suggesting sustainable cooperation strategies. These include the implementation of joint degree programmes, alongside infrastructure, capacity building, and institutional development efforts to prevent brain drain.

Highlighting the essence of mutual growth and experience sharing, Svitlana Shytikova of the National Erasmus+ Office in Ukraine emphasized the vital role of such collaborations in revitalizing the higher education sector. This partnership is aimed at nurturing the forthcoming generation of EU integrators, demonstrating a shared commitment to educational and societal recovery.

European Commission representatives from DG EAC and DG NEAR shared insights on Ukraine’s priority within the Erasmus+ Programme and introduced new funding opportunities through the Ukraine Facility. These discussions underscored the commitment to enriching educational cooperation and support across Europe.

In a solid display of this newfound cooperation, ATHENA has already welcomed two Ukrainian universities as associated partners and is preparing to integrate the Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute as a full member of its alliance. This step marks a significant milestone in the alliance’s efforts to forge robust educational bonds across Europe, fostering an environment of shared knowledge and mutual support.