Research England has teamed up with Universities UK International (UUKi) to support an innovative UK-Ukraine University Twinning Initiative.
The scheme, which Research England is backing with a £5 million investment, is led by Cormack Consulting Group and UUKi, and is designed to support Ukrainian universities and researchers.
It is intended to help UK and Ukrainian universities share resources and assistance in a collective gesture of solidarity and reciprocity to benefit Ukrainian institutions, staff and students.
Research England’s investment, which will be awarded through UUKi, will see partners collaborating on and building their capacity in research and innovation into the future.
It will also mean UK universities can:
On the ground, work will include:
Science Minister George Freeman said:
“Science and technology are increasingly key to geopolitical soft power: as levers to hit the Russian state as part of our sanctions in the spring, and to support science through our Ukrainian research project and harness innovation in rebuilding Ukraine’s economy.
I’m delighted that through our new twinning programme, Ukrainian universities are able to collaborate with UK universities to develop strong partnerships that will benefit both nations, while addressing global research and innovation challenges.
Putin’s illegal war in Ukraine has devastated much of the country. Our support for Ukraine’s research community is an important part of the UK’s ongoing efforts to use our science, technology and innovation for global good and support the Ukrainian people and their economic reconstruction.”
Professor Dame Jessica Corner, Executive Chair of Research England, said:
“This £5 million investment being made by Research England, on behalf of the UK government, not only builds a strategic research and innovation response but supports the UK-Ukraine twinning initiative established by Universities UK International earlier in the year.
The partnerships being created through the scheme are hugely important to support and build both longer-term research and innovation collaboration and capacity between our 2 countries.
The injection of funding will be vital in enabling UK universities to increase and strengthen their commitment to supporting their Ukrainian partners allowing them to address research and innovation challenges; while also providing new resources, which will enable the UK higher education sector to respond to future crises.”
Jamie Arrowsmith, Director of Universities UK International said:
“The funding announced today by Research England will help UK and Ukrainian universities involved in the twinning initiative to build new research and innovation partnerships, and will facilitate access to research support and vital resources.
The universities involved in the scheme have all made a long-term commitment to their partnerships that will contribute towards the recovery and reconstruction of Ukraine, and help ensure that the UK benefits from the new, deeper relationships that have been developed. Together, these partnerships will make a positive contribution to both our higher education communities.
It’s amazing to see our universities collaborate through this scheme. We hope that this investment will further strengthen the relationship between our 2 countries and signals the UK’s continued support for Ukraine throughout and beyond the current conflict.”
UUKi will use Research England’s investment to manage a programme of competitive grants available exclusively to UK universities to use in the context of the twinning partnerships.
Outcomes are expected to include:
Research England’s £5 million investment would cover 3 elements:
Launched in summer 2022, the UK-Ukraine Twinning Initiative has seen the creation of 100 partnerships between UK and Ukrainian universities. Partnerships include:
UUKi campaign, #TwinForHope , has been broadly communicating the impact the twinning initiatives and the partnerships are having. The scheme is created by Cormack Consulting Group. The campaign aims to engage more universities, from the UK and beyond, to join the scheme and attract more investment for the initiative, and to continue to deliver impact.
Watch a feature film about the initiative and read impact case studies from twinning partnerships.
Learn more about the twinning projects .
ENDS
Contact
UKRI press office: press@ukri.org
UUK Press office: press@universitiesuk.ac.uk
Notes
UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) is the largest public funder of research and innovation in the UK, with a budget of around £8bn. It is composed of seven disciplinary research councils, Innovate UK and Research England. We operate across the whole country and work with our many partners in higher education, research organisations businesses, government, and charities. Our vision is for an outstanding research and innovation system in the UK that gives everyone the opportunity to contribute and to benefit, enriching lives locally, nationally and internationally. Our mission is to convene, catalyse and invest in close collaboration with others to build a thriving, inclusive research and innovation system that connects discovery to prosperity and public good. www.ukri.org
Dr. Kostyantyn Kyrychenko, Rector's Assistant for International Relations and Head of International Affairs department at Sumy State University said:
“It was so helpful; it was a light at the end of a tunnel. [The twinning initiative] sounded so appealing and made students and staff more optimistic and enthusiastic. We understand that our battlefield is education and we do contribute to the victory of Ukraine, to support the country through our active cooperation.”
Vitalina Shevchenko, a student rector at Kharkiv National University said:
It’s always better when you are not alone, you feel a sense of support, you can share your experiences and the two universities can combine forces. I’m convinced when this war finishes, we still will be in partnership with York University.”
Rachel Sandison, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, University of Glasgow
“Through our developing partnership, we’re exploring joint teaching and learning opportunities and research collaboration. The twinning partnership for me, has become a real beacon of hope.”
Professor Saul Tendler, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, University of York
“We’ve put in place a range of twinning links between academic departments and also the students’ union. It’s really important that universities support other institutions around the world when they are in trouble. It’s really important that we signal that we stand with Ukraine.”