The University of Central Lancashire has pledged its support to help the people of Ukraine by twinning with a Ukrainian university.

UCLan has agreed to be one of the UK universities who will provide support to Uzhhorod National University (UzhNU), helping them to maintain operations during the war and to re-establish the University post-war.

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The five-year pledge with the institution, which has approximately 15,000 students and is based in the west of the country on the Slovakian border, will initially focus on four specific areas. 

UCLan will offer online English classes to support UzhNU’s students’ access to international content as well as run face-to-face English language short courses in Preston.

The University is also providing support through a national scheme to help turn UzhNU’s student accommodation into more appropriate housing for people displaced by the invasion. UCLan has offered to support with resources and funding to set up a nursery to help the displaced women with children.

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In addition, UCLan will provide access to online library and IT resources via specialist educational platforms.

The partnership will also consider potential collaborative research opportunities, initially focussing on English studies and Literature, social sciences, bioscience and medicine.

The twinning with the state university was confirmed at an online Memorandum of Understanding signing ceremony attended by UCLan’s Vice-Chancellor Professor Graham Baldwin and Deputy Chief Executive Officer Ruth Connor.

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Professor Baldwin said: “We’ve all been horrified at the news reports and images we’ve seen from the war in Ukraine. Collectively, and individually, we wanted to step up and help as best we can.

“Through one of our collaborative transnational education consultancy partners, we immediately offered our support to Ukrainian universities after the invasion.

“Thanks to a lot of hard work by so many people within the education sectors both here and in Ukraine, we’re delighted we can offer a range of support to Uzhhorod National University. The help we provide will not only support the student and staff community through this devasting conflict but will continue when the war is over.”

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