International Conference «Twinning Anniversary: Resilience and Reconstruction»
The Rector of NU «Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic» Viktor Greshta took part in the international conference «Internationalization – the Path to Resilience and Reconstruction: Twinning Anniversary». It took place on June 9 in Lviv as part of the celebration of the anniversary of the Twinning project, which is aimed at assisting Ukrainian higher education institutions.
Welcoming remarks were made by the Director of CEE+ Cormack Consultancy Group Gintaras Steponavicius, Vice-Rector for Scientific Work of the National University «Lviv Polytechnic» Nataliya Chukhrai, and Head of the MES Expert Group Hryhoriy Mozolevych. The online session was attended by the Chairman of the Association of British Universities Vivienne Stern, the Commissioner of the President of Ukraine for the Fund of the President of Ukraine for the Support of Education, Science and Sport Olha Budnyk and the Chairman of the Association of British Universities International Jamie Arrowsmith.
The Head of the CCG Charles Cormack prepared a detailed report on the progress made during the work, spoke about the awards that recognized the initiative and support of foreign partners, including not only the UK, but also the USA, Canada, Australia, Germany and Ireland.
The speaker also emphasized that despite all the obstacles, much had been achieved: signing more than 60 long-term cooperation agreements, helping more than 30 Ukrainian universities obtain grant funding to work on joint Ukrainian-British scientific projects, involving more than 12,000 Ukrainian students in free English language studies, as well as facilitating providing 20 universities with logistical assistance. Mr. Cormack also presented the strategy for further activities, highlighting the main goals, activities and predicted obstacles.
Victor Greshta met separately with Gintaras Steponavicius, Director of CEE+ Cormack Consultancy Group, and Aziz Boussofiane, Director of Cormack Consultancy Group, to discuss the prospects for the implementation of the Cogeneration Plants project at the Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic National University. At this stage, agreements were formed to study the possibilities of implementation and develop financing mechanisms for the project.
The second part of the event began with a discussion of international university mutual assistance. For example, Nataliia Chukhrai, Vice-Rector of Lviv Polytechnic University, spoke about the interaction with Nottingham Trent University.
The Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic National University also takes an active part in the project, within the framework of which it actively cooperates with Cardiff University. We would like to express our gratitude to the Twinning Coordinator of Cormack Consultancy Group, Oleksandr Smirnov, for his assistance in establishing relations between the two higher education institutions.
Since Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic University is located in a region that will require increased attention in the context of reconstruction after the liberation of the occupied territories, the panel discussion on the topic: «How can universities become drivers of regional and sectoral reconstruction?» became perhaps the most important for our university. After all, after the victory, we plan to do as much as possible to renew our native land.
At an informal networking session, university representatives were able to share their impressions of the conference and talk in more detail about the experience of their university during a difficult period.
Thank you for the opportunity to be inspired by examples and use good cases for the development of your university!
