Partnership in higher education: A delegation of Ukrainian universities visited France

On 13 March 2024, a forum was held at the University of Strasbourg under the patronage of Eva KOPÁČ (Vice President of the European Parliament) and representatives of the European Commission. Prospects of the European-Ukrainian partnership in higher education were discussed.

Among the event participants, there were 15 Ukrainian rectors/pro-rectors, representatives of 6 powerful alliances of European universities. Mykhailo VYNNYTSKYI (Deputy Minister of Education and Science of Ukraine), Jiri NANTAL (Deputy Minister of Education of the Czech Republic) and Svitlana SHYTIKOVA (Head of the Erasmus+ National Office) participated as well.

The delegation from Sumy State University included Ivan KOZII (Vice-Rector for Research and Development).

In February 2024, the European Parliament and the EU Council developed a new mechanism for providing assistance to Ukraine for the period up to 2027. It is intended to facilitate post-war recovery and modernization. In particular, that envisages the possibility of a thorough reconstruction of higher education institutions, which determines their role in creating conditions for sustainable development.

During the event, the main areas of European-Ukrainian partnership were outlined: urgent wartime needs, long-term quality education, current results and commitments, future prospects.

The forum participants learned about projects and best practices of European university alliances. Ukrainian representatives presented their cases of international cooperation and integration into the European educational environment. They shared their experience of resilience in the face of a full-scale invasion and thanked the global academic community for its strong support.

As a meeting result, a joint statement was signed on strategic partnership between European and Ukrainian universities. That stipulates EU institutions will prioritize higher education and research in Ukrainian recovery. Funding projects with Ukrainian associate members will go on until Ukrainian universities can fully join the initiative of European institutions.

As a part of the Strasbourg program, the delegation visited the European Parliament. There, they unfurled the national flag as a sign of Ukrainian unity and unwavering friendship with the European family.