As part of our twinning partnership with Zaporizhzhia National University (ZNU) in Ukraine, we welcomed Professor Olena Tupakhina, its Vice-Rector for International Affairs, to Durham recently.
From 27 November to 5 December 2023, Professor Tupakhina participated in a programme of meetings with Durham colleagues, gave a keynote speech and was a panellist in the latest Ukrainian Talk Series events.
We were successful in achieving funding jointly with ZNU from Universities UK International (UUKi) to run a joint research programme. With a focus on building research capacity and resilience during conflict, our partnership has brought over 30 ZNU researchers, academics and students to Durham to take part in workshops and summer schools over the course of 2023.
As part of this programme, Durham and ZNU professional staff are also exchanging best practice on areas including branding, energy efficiency and cultural exchanges.
Additionally, we have offered ZNU ten fee-waived incoming exchange places for this academic year with seven ZNU students currently with us this term.
During the recent visit, Professor Tupakhina met our Vice-Chancellor and Warden, Professor Karen O’Brien and senior colleagues from across the University.
Professor Tupakhina also met colleagues from Durham Energy Institute, the Centre for Environmental and Economic Studies, the Institute of Advanced Study, the Institute for Hazard, Risk and Resilience and others, to explore opportunities to further enhance our research collaborations as a follow-up to the existing joint research project.
The visit coincided with the return of The Ukrainian Talk series of public-facing hybrid events. Professor Tupakhina took part in a talk in which panellists discussed the outcomes, challenges and future prospects of collaboration between British and Ukrainian institutions.
During the visit, Professor Tupakhina also delivered a keynote speech “The Language of the Russo-Ukrainian war” as part of a School of Modern Languages and Cultures seminar.
Header image caption: The Durham University Institute of Hazard, Risk and Resilience (IHRR) team (Bruce Malamud, Hanna Ruszczyk and Aaron Neill) meeting Professor Olena Tupakhina
Middle image: Professor Tupakhina meeting our Vice-Chancellor and Warden, Karen O'Brien
Bottom image: Professor Tupakhina delivered a keynote speech while in Durham
/prod01/prodbucket01/media/durham-university/central-news-and-events-images/83431-1920X290.jpg)