Live from Kiev, a virtual co-hosted event between the University of Portsmouth and the Ukraine Ministry of Education will take place this Friday (6 October). It will showcase the findings of research projects from the partnership agreement between the University and Odesa Polytechnic National University.
Last year, Portsmouth was one of 33 UK universities to have been awarded funding through the UK-Ukraine Research and Innovation twinning grants scheme - provided by UKRI's Research England.
The funding, which marked the one-year anniversary of the UK-Ukraine Twinning Initiative, coordinated by Cormack Consultancy Group and the President's Fund of Ukraine for Education, Science, and Sports with the support of Universities UK International, supported 26 research and innovations projects between Portsmouth and Odesa universities.
The virtual roadshow 'Building a Future Ukraine: Collaborative Research promoting economic, social and cultural wellbeing' is taking place in Kiev, in conjunction with the Ukraine Ministry of Education. The aim of the event is to share as widely as possible the findings of the projects and spark further cross-institutional collaborations.
It is inspiring to see the impact that our mutual partnership is able to deliver. Together with our Ukrainian academic partners, we work on improving social, humanitarian, economic, technological and environmental issues at a time of an unprecedented crisis in the history of Ukraine. All our efforts are aimed at securing a brighter future for the war-torn country.
Dr Andrii Zharikov, University Academic Lead for Odesa Polytechnic National University
Examples of some of the research and innovation projects being presented include:
· Analysis of the safety of Ukraine's nuclear power industry in extreme operating conditions.
· Identifying and supporting vulnerable women and children in Ukraine and helping their reintegration and re-socialisation.
· Enhancing online and digital learning and managing the welfare of children and teachers.
· The use of intelligent and energy-efficient transportation systems.
· How culture can survive conflict: puppetry and the socialisation of children in the time of war.
Dr Andrii Zharikov, Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Business and Law at the University of Portsmouth and the University Academic Lead for Odesa Polytechnic National University, said: "It is inspiring to see the impact that our mutual partnership is able to deliver. Together with our Ukrainian academic partners, we work on improving social, humanitarian, economic, technological and environmental issues at a time of an unprecedented crisis in the history of Ukraine. All our efforts are aimed at securing a brighter future for the war-torn country."
The free online event runs from 7.45am to 1.30pm UK time and guests can join at: https://meet.google.com/sdz-xfyf-pbs
The University's agreement with Odesa Polytechnic National University is aimed at creating a long-term partnership, with the focus on identifying ways the University can support its Ukrainian partner during the current Russian conflict. The agreement is part of the university sector's #TwinForHope initiative.
The partnership provides a support framework for both institutions to work together, as well as a range of academic collaboration activities. Areas of activity of mutual interest include support to Odesa's academics and students, development of online materials, research groups and providing equipment.
The University is also providing funding for a Masters student from Odesa to undertake a fully-funded PhD at Portsmouth. The Portsmouth-Odesa PhD bursary will allow the student to come to Portsmouth to continue their research studies.
