Experience of Participating in the UNICOM Workshop: "SUSTAINABLE UNIVERSITIES - SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES"

As part of the UNICOM project, the workshop "SUSTAINABLE UNIVERSITIES – SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES" was held on July 2, 2024, in a hybrid format. Members of the project's working group participated in the event, with Viktoriya Rodinkova serving as a speaker. She presented her report titled "Determining the Sources of Sustainability of Ukrainian Medical Universities: A Vital Skill in Difficult Times," as well as a joint report with Olga Bratkova, "The Third Mission of the National Pirogov Memorial Medical University: Best Practices and Prospects."

The workshop highlighted several examples of how VNMU is fulfilling its third mission, including the "Warm Palms" project, initiatives to develop psychological assistance, rehabilitation programs for the wounded warriors (particularly those who have lost their sight), and training in tactical medicine. These examples sparked discussions among participants as exemplary practices and effective subjects for inter-university cooperation.

Other consortium members shared their experiences, too. For instance, Marja Nesterova from the Dragomanov Ukrainian State University detailed the best European practices in social innovations in education, which could be beneficial for Ukraine. She suggested that Ukraine could adopt Balkan’s universities strategies for developing psychological support, such as initiating special assistance programs for students and teachers who have experienced trauma and establishing psychological assistance centers in universities. In the Balkans, such centers provided counseling and training on overcoming stress and trauma. She also highlighted the practices of Israeli universities, including academic support for reservists, online courses, and trauma programs focused on coping with trauma and loss and working with children and families who have survived difficult events. Nesterova emphasized that Ukraine's main challenges currently include a lack of social unity of diversity, civil protection, and psychological safety.

Other speakers shared compelling examples: National University of Lviv discussed the functioning and active role of the Council of Employers and the reintegration of veterans into civilian life through vocational training, while Sumy National Agrarian University presented their support initiatives for farmers and rural communities in territories affected by military operations.

The UNICOM workshop concluded with an agreement among participants to share best practices for implementing the third mission and to enhance the involvement of local communities in joint projects.

Olga Drachuk, Viktoriya Rodinkova
members of the UNICOM project working group