The funding will support 20 research and innovation projects as part of the University's twinning partnership with Odessa Polytechnic National University.
The University of Portsmouth has received funding to further its partnership with Odessa Polytechnic National University in Ukraine.
Portsmouth is 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 has been announced to mark 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.
The funding will support 20 research and innovation projects including:
- 3D printing of composite trauma plates and bone implant joints as bone substitutes for recovering fractured bones.
- How the war has impacted on University student’s academic progression, wellbeing, and motivations for the future.
- 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.
I am extremely proud that we can make a positive difference to the lives of those working and studying during this humanitarian crisis. Through this further funding, we can enable researchers in Ukraine to continue their work and help to secure meaningful and long-lasting collaborations in the years ahead.
Chris Chang, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Global Engagement and Student Life) at the University of Portsmouth, said: “I am extremely proud that we can make a positive difference to the lives of those working and studying during this humanitarian crisis. Through this further funding, we can enable researchers in Ukraine to continue their work and help to secure meaningful and long-lasting collaborations in the years ahead.
“Our support for staff and students at Odessa Polytechnic National University is an important part of our mission to use teaching and research for the global good and will further strengthen our ongoing relationship with our partners in Ukraine.”
Jamie Arrowsmith, Director of Universities UK International, said: "Today marks a monumental occasion as we reflect and celebrate the incredible achievements of the twinning partnerships over the past year. It’s amazing to see the strong bonds UK and Ukrainian institutions have made with each other through the scheme. These important relationships have helped to strengthen the ties between the UK and Ukraine and highlights the UK’s continued support for Ukraine through the current conflict.”
The University’s agreement with Odessa Polytechnic National University is aimed at creating a long-term partnership, with the initial focus on identifying ways the University can support its Ukrainian partner during the current Russian conflict.
The University recently announced it had agreed to provide funding for a Masters student from Odessa to start a fully-funded PhD at Portsmouth. The Portsmouth-Odessa PhD bursary will allow the student to come to Portsmouth to continue their research studies.
Our support for staff and students at Odessa Polytechnic National University is an important part of our mission to use teaching and research for the global good and will further strengthen our ongoing relationship with our partners in Ukraine.
To further support researchers around the world who are at risk, the University is also allocating £80,000 of funding per year through the Council for At-Risk Academics (Cara), which helps academics in danger to escape to a safe place where they can continue their work.
The newly announced package of support builds on the University’s ongoing commitment to helping academics in danger who need and deserve support. It has previously worked with Scholars at Risk, a US-based international network of academic institutions that protects threatened scholars and promotes academic freedom.
The University also offers a Sanctuary Scholarship to undergraduate students seeking asylum that covers all of their tuition fees and provides ongoing personal and financial support during their course. So far, there have been two Sanctuary Scholars since 2021.