War in Ukraine: University collaboration – Research is a key ambition!
A new cluster has been created: Universities in Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova have come together with EU member state universities. This new partnership, called Eastern Partnership University Cluster, aims to strengthen ties in light of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The cluster was launched in Prague, in cooperation with the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs and with consultation from the European Commission and includes 11 founding members: Charles University, the University of Milan, the University of Warsaw, the University of Cologne, Eötvös Loránd University in Hungary, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Uzhhorod National University, Ivan Franko National University of Lviv, Oles Honchar National University of Dnipro, Ivan Javakhishvili State University of Tbilisi and Moldova State University in Chisinau.
The ambitious goal is to get support and develop cooperation among these universities for boosting research and education activities, during and after the war.
As stated by Volodymyr Smolanka, Rector of Uzhhorod National University “It is a great opportunity for Ukrainian universities to expand partnership in joint international projects, implement cultural and humanitarian initiatives, organise joint training programmes, and organise exchange of experience between professors and students”.
The idea is not for the EU institutions to provide direct financial support to Eastern Partnership universities, rather the different institutions will work together to apply for EU funding, for example through programme as the Erasmus+ or Horizon Europe.
In this context, engage nursing researchers is key to improve nursing research and innovation. Before this conflict, Covid-19 pandemic already shed the light on the need to make the healthcare systems resilient and able of facing sudden crisis.
Boosting nursing research and innovation is a key starting point for strengthening frontline nurses’ skills and competencies and for reducing nurses’ shortage making this profession more attractive for young students.
The ambitious goal to support research and education activities is only possible to reach by involving nursing research in this discussion.
Give to them the opportunity to make the difference!
