Special session of the European Commission on support to Ukraine during martial law (19.09.2024, Toulouse)
On 19 September 2024, within the framework of the EAIE Conference, a special session was held dedicated to supporting Ukraine during martial law. The session was initiated and organised by the DG EAC team of the European Commission and took place in Toulouse, France.
The session was moderated by Svitlana SHYTIKOVA, Coordinator of the National Erasmus+ Office – Ukraine. In her introductory remarks, the moderator provided a brief overview of the situation in Ukraine’s higher education and the state of implementation of the EU Erasmus+ Programme in Ukraine (download presentation). All details regarding Erasmus+ during martial law in Ukraine can be found via the provided link.
Svitlana SHYTIKOVA emphasised the significance of the Ukrainian student initiative Unissued Diplomas, which was showcased during the EAIE Exhibition. She appealed to other organisations to incorporate this initiative into their events to highlight the high cost paid by Ukraine’s young generation in defending shared values.
Mr Filip VAN DEPOELE, Head of the DG EAC International Cooperation Unit at the European Commission, presented an overview of EU support for Ukraine in higher education, including the DigiUni project aimed at creating a digital ecosystem for higher education in Ukraine and the MSCA4Ukraine initiative.
Kseniia SMYRNOVA, Vice-Rector of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, shared insights into implementing the DigiUni project, supported by the EU through a special call for Ukraine to build a digital ecosystem in response to the challenges and consequences of martial law in Ukraine (download presentation).
Natalia BUTYCH, Regional Coordinator for Eastern Europe with the Leibniz University of Hannover (LUH) Strategic Partnership, presented her experience in supporting Ukrainian universities, students, and staff, including within the framework of the DigiUni project (download presentation).
Natalia OLIYNYK from Kharkiv National University named after V.N. Karazin briefly introduced two examples of EU-funded projects and their specific implementation challenges during martial law (download presentation).
Following the session, participants had the opportunity to ask questions, and additional Ukrainian universities shared their experiences and perspectives, fostering discussions on the situation in Ukraine’s education sector.
The EAIE Conference participants showed high interest in this session, particularly members of European University Alliances and other international partners. Ukrainian universities expressed gratitude to the European Commission and all international partners for their invaluable support.
Further details and presentations can be accessed on the Erasmus+ website under “Erasmus+ during the war in Ukraine” via the provided link.
Additionally, the National Erasmus+ Office – Ukraine presented its role as a network supporting both potential and current stakeholders and beneficiaries during the second session dedicated to the implementation structures of EU programmes and opportunities for collaboration. Full information about these structures can be found via the provided link.
Together with the European Commission, EAIE, European University Alliances, Erasmus+ and Horizon Europe project teams, and Ukrainian universities, the National Erasmus+ Office – Ukraine promotes Ukrainian higher education, fosters opportunities for collaboration, and raises awareness about the situation in Ukraine during martial law to strengthen international solidarity and support.
We extend our sincere gratitude to the organisers and participants for their support and cooperation!