Grant supports Edinburgh-Kyiv partnership
The University has been awarded a six-figure grant to support mutually beneficial research partnerships with Taras Shevchenko National University.
Just under £200k has been provided by Universities UK for research that will be carried out under the UK-Ukraine University Twinning Initiative.
Launched in March 2022, the initiative facilitates partnerships between UK universities and their Ukrainian counterparts.
It allows institutions such as Edinburgh to collaborate with other leading universities, ensuring the continuity of mutually beneficial opportunities, and addressing the shared objectives of both partners.
The University of Edinburgh’s alliance with Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv (KNU) was launched last year to strengthen existing ties and boost the exchange of learning, teaching and research between the two institutions.
The partnership has also supported KNU’s efforts to sustain its operations while it has remained open during the ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
Grant success
Funding for the UK-Ukraine University Twinning Initiative grants scheme has been provided to Universities UK on behalf of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). It will allow institutions to sustain their commitment to supporting Ukrainian partners.
The University has received the maximum amount of funding available – £199,270.62 – which will be used to establish a series of joint research laboratories with KNU.
The labs will support research at both universities and help KNU counteract some of the difficulties its research environment has experienced due to the invasion of Ukraine.
This grant will help us to fund many of the exciting plans we have for our partnership. We have achieved great work so far in building a concrete and multi-layered partnership in a very short time. Huge thanks to all and we look forward to continuing to collaborate and work together over the coming months.
Crossing borders
Since joining the Initiative in April 2022, the University of Edinburgh and KNU have been working towards strengthening research and educational ties in a number of areas, including joint degrees, guest lectures, academic visits and placement opportunities.
Five students from KNU are currently visiting the School of Chemistry where they will undergo research towards their Ukrainian Masters theses.
Last year, KNU students and staff received funding to participate in UNA Europa’s One Health Summer School, a health-focused two-week summer school to explore new ways to tackle global challenges.
Activities within the partnership have also included online learning opportunities, such as shared online teaching, library resources and the delivery of online seminars.
Most recently, a workshop on ‘Post-crisis Urban Regeneration’ allowed students from both countries to work collaboratively to analyse a specific context and respond to questions on how to re-build cities following crises.
“ We are proud of the steps we have already taken in our partnership with Ukraine’s largest educational institution. This grant brings with it more possibilities to allow us to accelerate our efforts and strengthen the bond between our two universities, we look forward to exploring those options.”
Related links
Twinning UK-Ukraine initiative