Twinning: A long-term commitment to Ukrainian universities

In the week of the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Cormack Consultancy Group (CCG) has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Ukraine’s higher education sector through the continued development of the UK-Ukraine Twinning Initiative.

Founded by CCG in 2022 with Universities UK and international partners, the Twinning Initiative was established to ensure Ukrainian universities could continue teaching, researching and collaborating despite the profound disruption caused by the invasion.

Four years on, the initiative has facilitated 105 institutional partnerships between UK and Ukrainian universities, mobilised more than £70 million (US$94 million) in support and directly engaged over 50,000 students and staff in collaborative activity.

These partnerships have enabled universities to sustain teaching, protect research capacity and maintain international engagement under extraordinarily challenging conditions.

We reflect, on the fourth anniversary of the war, not only on the devastation caused by the war but also on the resilience of Ukraine’s academic community.

From the outset, we believed that universities had a vital role to play in protecting Ukraine’s future. Education underpins recovery, democratic resilience and long-term stability. Through the Twinning Initiative, we and our partners remain committed to standing alongside Ukrainian universities for as long as it takes.

Beyond emergency support

Ukrainian universities continue to operate under immense pressure. More than 120 institutions have suffered damage; over 40 have been forced to relocate, and thousands of academics and students have been displaced.

Despite missile attacks, power outages and infrastructure disruption, universities across Ukraine have remained open, adaptive and forward-looking. From the earliest weeks of the invasion, the Twinning Initiative mobilised rapidly to ensure education could continue.

Over the past years, partnerships have delivered more than 700 collaborative projects across research cooperation, curriculum development, student mobility, leadership development and institutional capacity building.

Ten dual-degree masters programmes have been established between UK and Ukrainian universities, enabling Ukrainian students to continue their studies and develop skills essential to the country’s long-term recovery.

Practical support has included the delivery of generators and equipment to sustain university operations during blackouts, as well as the creation of the English4Ukraine platform, which has engaged more than 48,000 users in improving international learning and collaboration.

These partnerships have evolved beyond emergency support into long-term strategic cooperation, helping modernise systems, strengthen leadership and expand international engagement.

It was very powerful to hear the First Lady of Ukraine state in a message to the UK higher education sector: “Thank you for standing with Ukrainian higher education during such a challenging time. You supported Ukraine with action, opening your classrooms to Ukrainian lecturers, conducting joint research and creating programmes that help Ukraine not only endure but also develop.”

Effective crisis response model

The initiative has been supported by Universities UK, the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine and a wide network of institutional and philanthropic partners. Independent evaluation has recognised twinning as a coordinated and effective model of sector-wide response to crisis.

As the war continues, CCG and its partners are focused on the next phase of long-term collaboration, including expanding research partnerships, strengthening institutional capacity, supporting Ukrainian participation in international funding programmes such as Horizon Europe and growing the Twinning Seed Fund to stimulate new joint projects.

Twinning was never intended to be a short-term gesture. It is a long-term commitment to partnership, solidarity and shared academic values.

Ukrainian universities are not simply surviving; they are adapting, innovating and preparing to lead Ukraine’s recovery.

We are not stepping back. The next phase is already underway: investing in research collaboration, institutional strengthening and international partnerships. Not only to help Ukrainian universities to endure this war but also to help them lead in rebuilding the country.

In crisis, in recovery, and beyond – we stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes.

Charles Cormack is chairman of Cormack Consultancy Group.

This article is a commentary. Commentary articles are the opinion of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of University World News.