Initiative of the European Universities’ Alliances to boost cooperation with Ukraine (13.03.2024, Strasbourg)
On 13 March 2024, Fifteen Rectors and Vice Rectors of Ukrainian universities came to Strasbourg, France to discuss their future collaboration with alliances and universities in Europe, and to share experience on how they continue working in the period of Martial Law. The high level conference «European and Ukrainian universities cooperation: state of play and future perspectives» gathered different international and Ukrainian stakeholders.
The event was held under the patronage of Ewa Kopacz, Prime Minister in 2014-2015, Vice-President of the European Parliament. The organisers of the meeting co-financed by NAWA Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange were Adam Mickiewicz University and the University of Strasbourg, as partner universities of the EPICUR consortium.
Mychailo WYNNYCKYJ, Deputy Minister of Education and Science of Ukraine, responsible for higher education, Member of Erasmus+ HERE team, members of the European Commission (DG NEAR and DG EAC), the Rector of the University of Poznan, the President of the University of Strasbourg, representatives of European University Alliances and Svitlana SHYTIKOVA, coordinator of the National Erasmus+ office – Ukraine also took part in the event.
Representatives of two Directorates General of the European Commission (DG EAC and DG NEAR), responsible for financing cooperation projects, described the latest available mechanisms for financing scientific and academic cooperation with Ukraine in connection with the adoption by the European Parliament of the aid package for Ukraine in the amount of EUR 50 billion.
Five Alliances (EPICUR, Euniwell, Sea-EU, EC2U, ENHANCE, CIVICA) presented examples of the good practice they are implementing to help Ukrainian universities. The rectors of Ukrainian universities presented the most important and urgent challenges that Ukrainian universities are currently facing as well as their experience of cooperation with the European Universities Alliances.
The event confirmed strong solidarity and support to Ukrainian universities and was marked by the high interest to establish institutional partnerships between European and Ukrainian university networks.
There are 32 Ukrainian universities joined as associated partners 18 European Universities Alliances projects under EU’s Erasmus+ Programme in 2024. Some universities were invited as full members to the Alliances.
The key homework of the Ukrainian Universities in alliances, in current projects under Erasmus+ and other international programmes and projects is to build trust, innovative capacities, joint programmes and research and form the best practices in teaching and learning excellence to become eligible as full partners to the Alliances. In its way they have the time and possibility to apply to self-assessment under Erasmus+ Charter for Higher Education as a starting point in cooperation with EU partners.
As a Partner Country Non-Associated to the Erasmus+ Programme, Ukraine has access to almost 40 calls for proposals. As a result of the Twinning and other activities in Alliances, including under support of NAWA projects, it is expected to boost number of joint projects within calls for proposals of the EU-funded Programmes in education, research, technologies and innovations for closer cooperation. More about the European Universities Initiative at: https://education.ec.europa.eu/education-levels/higher-education/european-universities-initiative
At the end of the event, a joint declaration of strategic partnership was adopted by all parties. This declaration invites the European Commission to provide financial support to the European University Alliances and other European higher education institutions already involved in cooperation and assistance with Ukrainian universities.
Understanding and addressing long-term cooperation needs is crucial, and mobilising future European parliamentarians on these issues to develop appropriate tools and resources is important,” stated Jean-Marc Planeix, Vice-President of the Université de Strasbourg and Strategic Director of the EPICUR alliance.
Vice-Rector of Adam Mickiewicz University prof. Rafał Witkowski presented the final document: «Statement of Strategic Partnership», which was adopted by participants.
This is a request to the European Commission for possibilities to find mechanisms to support alliances of European universities and other European universities that are already involved in cooperation and assistance to Ukrainian universities and provide opportunities for Ukrainian universities to become full members of alliances.
The Statements, challenges and cooperation expectations with contacts of Ukrainian Universities and Alliances are presented in the document at: https://epicur.edu.eu/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/EUAsUkraine_final_report.pdf
New calls for proposals for Erasmus+ are to be published in November 2024, please do not miss the opportunities! National Erasmus+ Office – Ukraine team is at your disposal for help: https://erasmusplus.org.ua/en/