Universities in Crises: Higher Education Dilemmas During the Russian Invasion of Ukraine

Higher education institutions in Ukraine have been under attack by Russian troops since 2014 when Russia annexed Crimea and invaded Donbas, but escalation of the war in 2022 exacerbated damage to universities. From 386 institutions, at least 147 colleges and universities were destroyed or damaged as a result of Russian attacks. 43 universities displaced from occupied territories. Hundreds of thousands of students and scholars fled the war looking for refuge not only in western regions of Ukraine, but in other countries in Europe, Asia, and North America. Solidarity extended to Ukrainian refugees and tertiary institutions allowed many to continue their studies in classrooms and online either in Ukraine or abroad. At the same time, some students and academics continue teaching and learning from the trenches.

The INEE Community of Practice (CoP) organised a live discussion with Ukrainian scholars studying and experiencing the impact of the Russian invasion on higher education in Ukraine. The panelists highlighted the critical issues faced by the academic communities and institutions in crises and engaged with the audience answering questions on the current state of higher education in Ukraine. 

Panelists:

• Uliana Furiv, Junior Researcher at Utrecht University, Netherlands
• Yuriy Khalavka, Associate Professor at the Yuriy Fedkovych Chernivtsi National University (CHNU)
• Ukraine - Anatoly Oleksiyenko, Professor at the Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK)
• Liz Shchepetylnykova, PhD candidate at the University of Hong Kong