On 23 June 2025, an online event, “Twinning for Tomorrow: Reflecting on Three Years of Impact and Looking Ahead”, was held to mark the third anniversary of the Twinning initiative. The event brought together initiative participants to summarise joint achievements, analyse the progress made, and identify promising directions for sustainable partnership and further support of Ukrainian higher education institutions. Among the participants was Kateryna Skyba, Vice-Rector for scientific and pedagogical work of Khmelnytskyi National University.
Launched in 2022, the Twinning initiative has become a beacon of support and cooperation for Ukrainian universities. Its path has been marked by commitment, resilience, and partnership that have all contributed to strengthening education in Ukraine.
The meeting opened with Charles Cormack presenting the key results of the Twinning project over the past three years, emphasising the importance of the institutional ties created.
Mykhailo Vynnytskyi discussed changes in Ukrainian education during and after the implementation of the Twinning project, stressing the crucial role of internationalisation in reinforcing the system and the significance of current transformations for the future.
The contribution of universities to social recovery and resilience, as well as the role of regional cooperation and local engagement through the Twinning initiative, were highlighted by Olga Budnyk.
Concluding the main part, Martin Cushing, Jamie Arrowsmith, and Charles Cormack presented plans to preserve the legacy of the Twinning project, outlining future directions, funding strategies, and further international cooperation, inviting institutions to remain actively involved.
The event concluded with a lively Q&A session, allowing participants to share their insights, provide feedback, and discuss next steps. This gathering underscored the Twinning initiative’s steadfast commitment to supporting and developing Ukrainian higher education, marking an important shift from crisis response to building resilience and shaping the future.
From the perspective of Khmelnytskyi National University, participation in the UK-Ukraine Twinning Initiative is highly significant and fruitful. Cooperation with Bangor University (United Kingdom), which began with the signing of a memorandum in October 2022, includes a number of joint initiatives, in particular the British Council Gender Equality Partnership “3R SheLeader: Resilience, Resourcefulness, Results” — a project aimed at advancing women’s leadership in higher education. One of the tangible outcomes of this partnership was the involvement of Professor Christian Dunn and BBC producer Harrison Lewis in creating the documentary podcast “Scarred” and conducting soil research in the region. This cooperation has already yielded noticeable results and is laying the foundation for a long-term partnership.
For Khmelnytskyi National University, participation in such an important initiative as Twinning is of exceptional value. It enables the adoption of global best practices, the enhancement of academic potential, and active engagement in international educational processes. KhNU will continue to pursue deeper international communication and expand its global network, as it is through active collaboration and knowledge exchange that we can build a strong and innovative future for Ukrainian higher education.