n times of war, universities must perform more than only an educational or scientific function. They are responsible for the future of society. Universities must ensure intellectual resilience during the war and the vision for post-war recovery of human intellectual potential.
Can universities successfully respond to the risks of war to ensure safety in the current moment and Ukraine's resilience and restoration in the future?
Ukrainian Universities Resilient Amid Russian Invasion
The School of Political Analysis of the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy (NaUKMA) categorizes Ukrainian universities today based on the impact of military actions:
- Ruined or "occupied" universities that had to relocate and whose educational process was impossible or very complicated (mainly those in the East of Ukraine - Severodonezk, Mariupil). Some of these universities were already displaced due to the Russian invasion in 2014 and needed re-relocation.
- Universities where the educational process was interrupted by military actions and some infrastructure may have been destroyed and damaged. Recovering these universities' educational process was not problematic (Universities in the Center of Ukraine and Kyiv).
- Universities located further from active military operations and perhaps did not even interrupt the educational process (mainly in the West of Ukraine - Uzhhorod, Lviv).
From February 24, 2022 until December 21, 2022, there were 18,965 air alarms in Ukraine, with an average duration of nearly an hour (56.31 minutes). Since October 2022, Russia's systematic shelling has been aimed at destroying the energy infrastructure in Ukraine. The actions lead to power blackouts and limited mobile and internet connection, lasting up to 3-4 days. The loss of communication increases uncertainty and makes the educational and research process difficult or impossible to carry out. A student survey at the NaUKMA on the possibility of extending the educational process, conducted on March 18, 2022, showed that 54% of students were deprived of opportunities to study due to technical obstacles and occupation. They risked their life and health.
Ukrainian universities faced a daunting problem. Amid the chaos of war, how could they ensure a high-level education process, create value for stakeholders, ensure the continuation of their unique identities, and continue scientific work?
One of the first decisions of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine (MESU) was the announcement on February 25 of a two-week vacation for all educational institutions. Although various universities found themselves in very different conditions, these two weeks allowed them to adjust to their new situation and restore educational processes. Thirty-four universities were relocated at various times as Russian troops advanced. Some had to be relocated twice. The relocation process was coordinated by the MESU, which determined the host institution for each relocated university. Students were allowed to join online studies at other universities.
Solidarity From the International University Community
In response to the academic refugee wave, the international educational and scientific community joined forces to help Ukrainian students. Inspired by the Ukrainian diaspora, universities–mainly in Western Europe and North America–have worked to find students and academic staff a safe place to live and study,
To this end, the "Global Kyiv-Mohyla Academy" project was implemented. The project created four "foreign NAUKMA campuses." NAUKMA campuses are co-located with the universities of Toronto (Canada), Glasgow (Great Britain), Giessen (named after Justus Liebig, Germany), and the European University of Viadrina (Germany). The concept of NAUKMA's foreign campus includes presentation offices, exchange programs for students and teachers, joint research groups, stable funding, and the creation of joint training courses and educational programs. They are expected to attract not only Ukrainians but also local students. More than $5 million was directly raised to finance foreign campuses abroad. In 2022, Karazin University, together with the GOROD Cultural Center (Munich, Germany), opened a study hub for students studying in Bachelor programs in Computer Science, Biology, and Culturology.
The partnership of the leading universities from the EU, U.S., and Canada developed a specially designed student evacuation mobility program for Ukrainians to ensure continuous educational and scientific work. It provided an opportunity during the spring semester of 2022 to take courses from a partner university without additional bureaucratic procedures and live in a partner university dormitory. More than 300 students were able to take advantage of this opportunity starting from March to April 2022.
Additionally, a consortium of leading Ukrainian educational institutions and international organizations launched the Ukrainian Global University (UGU) initiative. The partners aimed to provide scholarships for Ukrainian students in the world's leading Universities. In total, 2,500 students applied and 57 were chosen for the chance to get a high-quality education safely in 21 Educational Institutions in Europe and North America.
Compared to the pre-war period, the number of NaUKMA students who took advantage of international academic mobility programs increased by more than four times.
The main goal of these relocation programs is to support the physical and emotional safety of both students and academic staff. Russia’s invasion has had a significant, adverse impact on the psychological state of education seekers. Many students were unable to continue their studies during 2022 due to difficulties that arose from the invasion–psychological, physical health, or financial. In personal communication, these students noted their desire to return to studies after the situation stabilizes. According to a survey on student mobility at NaUKMA (in January 2023), one of the reasons for leaving for an international mobility program is the opportunity to be in a safe environment because the psychological state strongly affects the education of students. Among other reasons, students mentioned the opportunity to gain an exciting learning experience and expand career prospects in the labor market of Ukraine.
Yet this heightened mobility does bring risks of its own. Domestic and international stakeholders are focused on ensuring that Ukraine does not suffer a loss of knowledge and expertise due to the refugee wave. Students are also sensitive to this danger. Most NaUKMA mobility students noted their readiness to return to Ukraine after the security and infrastructure situation stabilizes. UGU clearly stated the prerequisite to return to Ukraine after study and still got 2,500 applications in just two months. "I chose to pursue a program in international economic law, as the knowledge and experience that I will get from it will help me to work on the attraction of foreign investments for the reconstruction of Ukraine,"-wrote one of the UGU scholars on their webpage. These are promising signs.
Universities’ Responsibility to Society
In times of crisis (war, pandemic), universities must find mechanisms to ensure their resilience. The most critical issues are not merely the preservation or reconstruction of the buildings, technical equipment, or financial support. Rather, the most critical issues are the need to preserve the academic community as such–both students and teachers. It is critical that evacuations and relocations don’t cause the academic community to dissolve or scatter. Universities which prioritized people–their needs and their aspirations–have achieved the best results in maintaining a sense of community.
These, then, are the roles universities should play during times of war:
- Continue the educational and scientific process. In Ukraine, this was made possible through relocation domestically, classes in bomb shelters, remote learning, and partnerships with foreign campuses.
- Foster future human potential for the country's post-war recovery. In Ukraine’s case,this meant analyzing the labor market, determining priority areas for the development of educational programming, and conducting tandem courses with partners.
- Intellectual diplomacy. Ukraine’s universities are working to amplify the "visibility of the Ukrainian scientific community" in the European and global landscape.
- Formation of the Ukrainian scientific agenda. This took place through holding round tables, open lectures, conferences, and joint research.
Ukrainian universities continue their scientific work and educational process because they know they hold the academic and scientific front for the future of Ukrainian society. Victory requires more than just winning on the battlefield–it also lies in the minds of future generations. It requires we embrace democratic values, freedom, innovation, and sustainable development. Future growth will be driven by people who bring skills, creativity, and knowledge. Any future recovery is impossible without high-level human capital and education. Thus, the role that Ukraine’s universities play during this war–amid dire conditions–is critical to victory.
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The Role of Universities in Times of War
University of Kiev, Ukraine. Photo by Denys Rodionenko via Unsplash.
February 24, 2023
The university has always played an important role in guaranteeing the future of society. That role is expanded and more important than ever in times of war, as illustrated by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, write Drs. Nina Chala, Olga Voropai, and Kateryna Pichyk.
I
n times of war, universities must perform more than only an educational or scientific function. They are responsible for the future of society. Universities must ensure intellectual resilience during the war and the vision for post-war recovery of human intellectual potential.
Can universities successfully respond to the risks of war to ensure safety in the current moment and Ukraine's resilience and restoration in the future?
Ukrainian Universities Resilient Amid Russian Invasion
The School of Political Analysis of the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy (NaUKMA) categorizes Ukrainian universities today based on the impact of military actions:
- Ruined or "occupied" universities that had to relocate and whose educational process was impossible or very complicated (mainly those in the East of Ukraine - Severodonezk, Mariupil). Some of these universities were already displaced due to the Russian invasion in 2014 and needed re-relocation.
- Universities where the educational process was interrupted by military actions and some infrastructure may have been destroyed and damaged. Recovering these universities' educational process was not problematic (Universities in the Center of Ukraine and Kyiv).
- Universities located further from active military operations and perhaps did not even interrupt the educational process (mainly in the West of Ukraine - Uzhhorod, Lviv).
From February 24, 2022 until December 21, 2022, there were 18,965 air alarms in Ukraine, with an average duration of nearly an hour (56.31 minutes). Since October 2022, Russia's systematic shelling has been aimed at destroying the energy infrastructure in Ukraine. The actions lead to power blackouts and limited mobile and internet connection, lasting up to 3-4 days. The loss of communication increases uncertainty and makes the educational and research process difficult or impossible to carry out. A student survey at the NaUKMA on the possibility of extending the educational process, conducted on March 18, 2022, showed that 54% of students were deprived of opportunities to study due to technical obstacles and occupation. They risked their life and health.
Ukrainian universities faced a daunting problem. Amid the chaos of war, how could they ensure a high-level education process, create value for stakeholders, ensure the continuation of their unique identities, and continue scientific work?
One of the first decisions of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine (MESU) was the announcement on February 25 of a two-week vacation for all educational institutions. Although various universities found themselves in very different conditions, these two weeks allowed them to adjust to their new situation and restore educational processes. Thirty-four universities were relocated at various times as Russian troops advanced. Some had to be relocated twice. The relocation process was coordinated by the MESU, which determined the host institution for each relocated university. Students were allowed to join online studies at other universities.
Solidarity From the International University Community
In response to the academic refugee wave, the international educational and scientific community joined forces to help Ukrainian students. Inspired by the Ukrainian diaspora, universities–mainly in Western Europe and North America–have worked to find students and academic staff a safe place to live and study,
To this end, the "Global Kyiv-Mohyla Academy" project was implemented. The project created four "foreign NAUKMA campuses." NAUKMA campuses are co-located with the universities of Toronto (Canada), Glasgow (Great Britain), Giessen (named after Justus Liebig, Germany), and the European University of Viadrina (Germany). The concept of NAUKMA's foreign campus includes presentation offices, exchange programs for students and teachers, joint research groups, stable funding, and the creation of joint training courses and educational programs. They are expected to attract not only Ukrainians but also local students. More than $5 million was directly raised to finance foreign campuses abroad. In 2022, Karazin University, together with the GOROD Cultural Center (Munich, Germany), opened a study hub for students studying in Bachelor programs in Computer Science, Biology, and Culturology.
The partnership of the leading universities from the EU, U.S., and Canada developed a specially designed student evacuation mobility program for Ukrainians to ensure continuous educational and scientific work. It provided an opportunity during the spring semester of 2022 to take courses from a partner university without additional bureaucratic procedures and live in a partner university dormitory. More than 300 students were able to take advantage of this opportunity starting from March to April 2022.
Additionally, a consortium of leading Ukrainian educational institutions and international organizations launched the Ukrainian Global University (UGU) initiative. The partners aimed to provide scholarships for Ukrainian students in the world's leading Universities. In total, 2,500 students applied and 57 were chosen for the chance to get a high-quality education safely in 21 Educational Institutions in Europe and North America.
Compared to the pre-war period, the number of NaUKMA students who took advantage of international academic mobility programs increased by more than four times.
The main goal of these relocation programs is to support the physical and emotional safety of both students and academic staff. Russia’s invasion has had a significant, adverse impact on the psychological state of education seekers. Many students were unable to continue their studies during 2022 due to difficulties that arose from the invasion–psychological, physical health, or financial. In personal communication, these students noted their desire to return to studies after the situation stabilizes. According to a survey on student mobility at NaUKMA (in January 2023), one of the reasons for leaving for an international mobility program is the opportunity to be in a safe environment because the psychological state strongly affects the education of students. Among other reasons, students mentioned the opportunity to gain an exciting learning experience and expand career prospects in the labor market of Ukraine.
Yet this heightened mobility does bring risks of its own. Domestic and international stakeholders are focused on ensuring that Ukraine does not suffer a loss of knowledge and expertise due to the refugee wave. Students are also sensitive to this danger. Most NaUKMA mobility students noted their readiness to return to Ukraine after the security and infrastructure situation stabilizes. UGU clearly stated the prerequisite to return to Ukraine after study and still got 2,500 applications in just two months. "I chose to pursue a program in international economic law, as the knowledge and experience that I will get from it will help me to work on the attraction of foreign investments for the reconstruction of Ukraine,"-wrote one of the UGU scholars on their webpage. These are promising signs.
Universities’ Responsibility to Society
In times of crisis (war, pandemic), universities must find mechanisms to ensure their resilience. The most critical issues are not merely the preservation or reconstruction of the buildings, technical equipment, or financial support. Rather, the most critical issues are the need to preserve the academic community as such–both students and teachers. It is critical that evacuations and relocations don’t cause the academic community to dissolve or scatter. Universities which prioritized people–their needs and their aspirations–have achieved the best results in maintaining a sense of community.
These, then, are the roles universities should play during times of war:
- Continue the educational and scientific process. In Ukraine, this was made possible through relocation domestically, classes in bomb shelters, remote learning, and partnerships with foreign campuses.
- Foster future human potential for the country's post-war recovery. In Ukraine’s case,this meant analyzing the labor market, determining priority areas for the development of educational programming, and conducting tandem courses with partners.
- Intellectual diplomacy. Ukraine’s universities are working to amplify the "visibility of the Ukrainian scientific community" in the European and global landscape.
- Formation of the Ukrainian scientific agenda. This took place through holding round tables, open lectures, conferences, and joint research.
Ukrainian universities continue their scientific work and educational process because they know they hold the academic and scientific front for the future of Ukrainian society. Victory requires more than just winning on the battlefield–it also lies in the minds of future generations. It requires we embrace democratic values, freedom, innovation, and sustainable development. Future growth will be driven by people who bring skills, creativity, and knowledge. Any future recovery is impossible without high-level human capital and education. Thus, the role that Ukraine’s universities play during this war–amid dire conditions–is critical to victory.
