European universities remain committed to supporting Ukrainian higher education and research after two years of war

Ukrainian higher education institutions and their communities continue to be profoundly affected by the ongoing hostilities marked, on 24 February 2024, by the two-year anniversary of the Russian Federation’s invasion of Ukraine.

On this occasion, the European University Association expresses its continued solidarity with Ukraine and its university sector. To date, one invaluable avenue for direct exchange has been EUA’s growing membership in the country: 19 higher education institutions have joined the Association as individual members since February 2022, and the Union of Rectors of Higher Education Institutions of Ukraine has become a collective member.

As the war persists and attention shifts to strategic long-term approaches to support higher education and research communities in Ukraine, EUA has collected rich information on the many initiatives that have been put in place. For example, an ongoing EUA survey on such initiatives has registered over 300 responses. Although the survey remains open, initial results demonstrate the importance of the European dimension of support initiatives, as well as the prevalence of inter-institutional partnerships, coaching and training schemes, and scholarships, fellowships and grants. Moreover, data from EUA’s forthcoming Trends 2024 report, to which leadership of 489 higher education institutions from 46 European countries responded, shows that 80% of institutions offer support to Ukrainian students, staff or institutions.

EUA is also a part of the consortium implementing the European Commission-funded MSCA4Ukraine programme, which offers dedicated fellowships in support of Ukrainian researchers, enabling them to continue their work at academic and non-academic organisations in EU member states. In the first call, €25 million were allocated to 124 fellowships. 

Previously, in July 2023, the Association published a set of recommendations on enabling Ukrainian universities to continue their research and teaching activities. These recommendations to governments, donors, universities and other research-intensive higher education institutions and organisations, aim to enhance collaboration and dialogue on how the Ukrainian higher education and research sector can be sustained through strategic and long-term approaches, coordination among different actors, and by maximising resources, synergies and cooperation.

EUA is ready to provide continued assistance to the Ukrainian higher education sector in whatever way it is capable and still hopes for an end to this destructive war.