Swansea University students from Ukraine, with staff members. The event gave students a chance to find out more about Swansea and the help available to them.
Students from Ukraine were given an official welcome to Swansea at a University reception, where they were able to meet each other and find out more about the support available to them during their studies.
The event is the latest example of the University’s ongoing support for the country in the wake of the invasion by Russian forces in February.
Some of the students are already enrolled on courses at Swansea, from undergraduate to PhD level, in subjects such as nursing, medical genetics, engineering, law, chemistry, computer science, and Egyptology.
In addition, students have recently arrived from Ukraine to spend a semester at Swansea. They are from Petro Mohyla Black Sea National University in the city of Mykolaiv in southern Ukraine, which is Swansea’s partner university in the country.
Offering support to Ukrainian students is in line with the Vice Chancellor’s statement, issued at the time of the invasion, which underlines that the University “stands with the people of Ukraine in defence of their sovereignty, independence, and democratic freedoms.”
The event was an important opportunity for students to meet each other, to help establish a network for Ukrainian students on campus. Academics as well as staff from the University’s support services were also at the event, which gave students a chance to find out more about Swansea and the help available to them.
Mariia, studying medicine from Petro Mohyla Black Sea National University (PMBSNU) said:
'I feel so welcome. I am so excited to study at Swansea University.'
Swansea’s growing partnership with PMBSNU will pave the way for research collaboration, sharing online teaching and learning materials, as well as opportunities for students and staff from Ukraine to visit Swansea.
It is the latest in a series of partnerships between UK and Ukrainian universities, set up by umbrella body Universities UK International and the Cormack Consultancy Group to support the country.
These partnerships are intended to encourage the sharing of resources and support in a collective gesture of solidarity and reciprocity to help Ukrainian institutions, staff and students.
Swansea University is also exploring ways of providing support for students and members of staff from other Ukrainian universities.
Members of staff at Swansea are also involved in community initiatives to support Ukraine. For example, Dr Dmitri Finkelshtein, associate professor of mathematics, is the chair of Sunflowers Wales, a non-profit community group organised by Ukrainian volunteers in Wales to support Ukrainians affected by Russia’s invasion. The group sends medical supplies, clothes and humanitarian aid twice a month to Ukraine.
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Professor Lisa Wallace, Associate Dean (International), Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Science, said:
“Swansea University stands with the people of Ukraine, as the Vice Chancellor has underlined. We organised the event to show our Ukrainian students that they are a much-valued part of our university community, as well as to highlight the practical support available to them.
“We are proud to be an international university. Our Ukrainian students add to the richness and diversity of our campus community. We are fortunate to have them with us.”