Throughout the Russian invasion and the constant threats from bombing, drone attacks and power cuts, Dnipro University of Technology has continued with its teaching and research.

“We are not so far from the war line, and it’s a really huge challenge for us,” said Tetiana Kuvaieva, Associate Professor of Marketing at the University. “So yes we’re suffering from the situation, but it’s also been an opportunity for making the university stronger, more adaptable and resilient.”

Dnipro responded to the crisis and its dangers by introducing more digital and blended learning offerings to students — while making sure that face-to-face contact with students still went on by using a rapid alert system and moving classes to underground laboratory spaces.

One of oldest universities in Ukraine, Dnipro is known for its expertise in engineering, mineralogy and mining, as well as its strong links with businesses in what is one of the main industrial centres of Ukraine.

A group of academics from Dnipro were in Lancaster recently as part of the Universities UK ‘Twin for Hope’ programme, one of around a hundred long-term twinning partnerships between UK and Ukrainian institutions.

The Head of International Marketing, Olena Krasovska, said: “With our famous scientists and young students we have a really amazing brain that businesses and industry want to tap into. And that co-operation with business then improves our own knowledge and processes. We have continued to run an international conference and projects each year looking at ways to build collaborations with other countries in ways that also support our local community and networks.”

The twinning work with Lancaster has included joint research on restoring Ukraine’s rich agricultural soils, and best practice for developing the global reputation and branding of Dnipro.

“We’ve worked together with Lancaster on student mobility, looking at ways they can participate in Lancaster conferences and events,” explained Kseniia Tiukhmenova, Director of the Centre for International Co-operation. “We have many researchers who can continue to benefit from collaborations with Lancaster academics, and we’ll be looking at the potential for joint courses in areas like engineering.”

You can hear more from Kseniia Tiukhmenova, Olena Krasovska and Tetiana Kuvaieva talking about their experiences on the Transforming Tomorrow podcast hosted by Professor Jan Bebbington and Paul Turner in the Pentland Centre for Sustainability in Business.

Listen now

This article was initially featured in issue four of Lancaster University's Global Research Newsletter.

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