The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) is expanding academic cooperation between Germany and Ukraine with the new "German-Ukrainian University Network" programme. The programme aims to strengthen and deepen cooperation between German and Ukrainian universities. The Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) is supporting the programme with a total of 24 million euros until 2029.

"1,000 days after the Russian invasion, the higher education system in Ukraine has proven to be extraordinarily resilient," said DAAD President Prof Dr Joybrato Mukherjee in Bonn. Despite the war, lectures, seminars and research activities were taking place in the universities, virtually or in air-raid shelters. University cooperation and reform processes at Ukrainian universities are also continuing under adverse conditions, often with German support. "German universities are supporting Ukraine with great commitment. Despite the war, the number of university partnerships has risen to over 340," said the DAAD President. "The task now is to strengthen these partnerships and create a solid and lasting foundation for German-Ukrainian university cooperation. The 'German-Ukrainian University Network' that has now been announced will play a central role in this and promote the integration of Ukraine into the European Higher Education Area."

Cooperation on studies, teaching, university administration and internationalisation

The new DAAD programme "German-Ukrainian University Network" consists of two parts: One programme line promotes binational cooperation on studying and teaching, while a second line will intensify exchanges in university administration and internationalisation. Up to 800,000 euros per project are available in the first programme line until 2029, and around 400,000 euros in programme part two. The projects will be selected by the summer of next year.

In the first part of the programme, the DAAD supports German-Ukrainian university cooperation projects that establish cooperative study programmes - in some cases leading to double degrees - and promote the development of joint teaching and learning modules. One focus here is on the mutual exchange of teachers and students - in times of war, this will often take place in virtual formats. In the second part of the programme, German universities will offer further training measures for Ukrainian university staff. The aim is to train experts to promote the internationalisation and integration of their universities into the European Higher Education Area. In addition, their networking with each other is to be promoted via digital platforms. 

The DAAD will support the work of the German-Ukrainian university projects with conferences and publications.