Four years of KSU's work in relocation: a unique case of resilience and development

Four years of work under the conditions of relocation and full-scale invasion…

On April 20, 2022, when the Order of the Minister of Education and Science of Ukraine on the temporary relocation of the management center of Kherson State University to the base of Vasyl Stefanyk Carpathian National University was signed, we were convinced that this was necessary to continue the educational process and fulfill all obligations to students and staff. And we also believed that the relocation -  would not be for long.

This is probably what all Kherson residents thought during that period, those who left the occupation at their own risk and without green corridors. 2-3 months, perhaps a little longer… But it has already been four years, during which we carry the faith that we will definitely return home, to our native university walls.

The decision on relocation was reinforced by a joint decision of the Conferences of Labor Collectives of the two universities. This became the beginning of a unique history of interaction, support, and cooperation between two academic communities. Premises in the center of Ivano-Frankivsk, dormitories, free use of laboratories, classrooms, and infrastructure of Stefanyk University – this is, so to speak, the material manifestation of support. And there was also spiritual, human support, without which it would have been much more difficult for us to adapt to a new place.

Sincere gratitude to the head of the scientific council, and in 2022 – the rector of KSU Igor Tsepindi, a low bow to rector Valentyna Yakubiv, who continues the warm tradition of complimentary cooperation. Gratitude to the community of Ivano-Frankivsk, to Mayor Ruslan Martsinkiv for making us feel not like guests, for respect and attention to forcedly displaced persons, and for including the relocated university into the city's ecosystem. Great credit also goes to the communities of Ivano-Frankivsk universities. We thank for cooperation and support the rector of Ivano-Frankivsk National University of Oil and Gas Igor Chudyk, the rector of Ivano-Frankivsk National Medical University Roman Yatsyshyn, and the rector of King Danylo University Myroslav Lutsky.

We have worked hard all these years so that, even though 800 km from home, we maintain the status of the best university in the Kherson region according to all possible rankings, remain useful to the region, developed a digital ecosystem for quality and evidence-based learning – the KSU24 and KSUonline platforms, engaged in science and research, documented the history of educational resilience and civil resistance of Kherson residents, were partners in powerful international projects - DigiUni, BURN, NATO, British-Ukrainian Twinning Initiative, Academies4Ukraine, SAFER, underwent transformations and structural changes. And all this time we preserved the Kherson identity and academic community, as we are confident that it is we who will return and build up the human capital of the region. The main thing – we never stopped, we taught and learned, underwent assessments, accreditations, and institutional audits…

We – this is our community, the people on whom the university rests. Those who are in Kherson, those in Ivano-Frankivsk, those in other cities and countries. This is the best team one could imagine. Thank you to each and every one of you for your inspiration and faith!

We will always remember those who extended a helping hand to us:

• 100 laptops, which were provided to the organization of office and faculty work by the University of Kent as part of the British-Ukrainian Tamin Initiative, administration of the Cormack Consultancy Group team led by Charles Cormack; then there was a digital scanner. Professor of the University of Kent Anthony Manning became a member of the KSU Supervisory Board
• The USAID Democratic Governance East Activity provided a grant to create an educational and cultural Hub in Ivano-Frankivsk with modern conditions for improving academic and cultural activities. With the support of USAID's DG East, we received a donation of 69,800 euros from the European Federation of Academies of Sciences and Humanities to support researchers, a generator with a capacity of 60 kW
• The KSU24 platform was supported by a donation of 70,000 pounds sterling from a British company
• Thanks to American Councils, we have academic mobility programs and scholarships for researchers
• Participation in the project of the Ministry of Education and Science and the World Bank «Improving Higher Education in Ukraine for Results» allowed us to receive charging stations and interactive whiteboards
• The University of Klagenfurt and the University of Graz provided 16 servers to create the KSU digital independence system
• Dozens of shipments of humanitarian aid for our employees from Ukrainian partner universities and public organizations and foundations
• Systematic support from the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, the Kherson Regional Military Administration, the Kherson Regional Council, the Kherson City Military Administration; KP «KHOKARS», KP «Parks of Kherson», which help in eliminating the consequences of shelling of infrastructure in Kherson

Over four years, with the support of the Ministry of Education and Science and donors, we have not only renovated the historic building and shelters but also opened 9 new classrooms and laboratories in another building. We plan to open a simulation center for the Faculty of Medicine.

Perhaps we have already begun to get used to life outside Kherson, and we have certainly come to love the Prykarpattia region… But in our hearts, we know that we are making efforts, investing in development, and improving ourselves so that one day a strong, innovative Kherson State University will restore its operations in Kherson! So it shall be! Thank you, colleagues, friends, and partners, for understanding, supporting, and inspiring us.