The Twinning Initiative: Two years of partnership between SumDU and the University of Liverpool

On 29 March 2024, it will be two years since the University of Liverpool and SumDU established a twinning relationship.

The Twinning Initiative is a model of institutional cooperation. It aims at supporting Ukrainian universities in during and after the war by creating partnerships between Ukrainian and foreign higher education institutions.

The initiative is coordinated by the Cormack Consultancy Group, the Universities UK International, the Presidential Foundation for Education, Science and Sport, and the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine.

To mark the second anniversary of cooperation between the universities, a number of events are planned at the University of Liverpool.

On 27 March, the events begin with a speech by Professor Tim Jones (Rector of the University of Liverpool). The British partner hosts a presentation of partnership results. There are reports from representatives of research institutions, industry, foundations. The event is held in a mixed format – offline and online.

SumDU participants will share their experience in implementing joint projects. The cooperation is carried out in a wide range of areas. It concerns summer schools, academic mobility, teacher training, educational resources, access to world databases. Colleagues from the twin universities also worked together in brand management and marketing, library cooperation, joint research.

In 2023, a new project “Cooperation for Science Digitalization and Digital Transformation of Ukraine” was launched. It provided scholarships. The project was supervised by university mentors: Ihor POTAPOV and Kostiantyn KYRYCHENKO. They create and expand research and innovation in digital transformation (digital economy, renewable energy, digital infrastructure).

48 SumDU researchers have participated in the project. The work on jointly agreed activities lasted for 5 months (virtual scholarship, summer school, internship in Liverpool).

In August 2023, a SumDU delegation headed by Vasyl KARPUSHA visited Liverpool.

During the trip, a final round table on cooperation results was held.

Currently, the University of Liverpool is hosting 9 SumDU representatives. These are young scientists and graduate students who work together with colleagues from the academic schools of the University of Liverpool.

Sumy State University sincerely thanks its sister university for cooperation and support in these difficult times. We hope to expand further interaction and fruitful cooperation in all areas