Marburg University is a member of the European University Alliance EUPeace (European University for Peace, Justice, and Inclusive Societies), while Kyiv National Economic University (KNEU) is an associate member. In times of war, the established partnership between the two universities faces extraordinary challenges.

Europe, a project for peace — this idea still holds great appeal. A continent whose nations fought one another for centuries can now look back on long periods of peace, thanks in part to the unifying influence of the European Union. However, Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine — which violates international law — has been causing devastating consequences on Europe’s eastern border for more than four years now.

Ukraine receives support from numerous European partners — including those in the higher education sector. European higher education alliances involve Ukrainian universities in various ways. The EUPeace alliance counts Kyiv National Economic University (KNEU) and the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy among its associate partners — and cites peace, justice, and inclusive societies as its overarching goals. But how does this collaboration work in light of the war in Ukraine?

A strong foundation for cooperation

“EUPeace maintains ties with Ukraine during the conflict and strengthens the foundation of cooperation,” says Professor Elisabeth Schulte, who heads the Department of Institutional Economics at Marburg University. “These bridges have also proven effective in emergency aid, for example by welcoming displaced Ukrainian scholars at several universities in the alliance.” Like Justus Liebig University Giessen, the Marburg University is a German member of the European University Alliance. EUPeace connects nine partner universities and a total of more than 30 associated partners worldwide. Elisabeth Schulte serves as the departmental delegate for EUPeace at her university and is a member of the Senate of the European University Alliance; she has also initiated an alliance-wide cooperative course offering. In Marburg, she works closely with her Ukrainian colleague Dr. Iryna Ivanets, who joined the Hessian university in May 2022, two months after the full-scale Russian invasion.

Iryna Ivanets is a research assistant in Elisabeth Schulte’s research group and also serves as the liaison for her home university in Kyiv, KNEU, with the EUPeace university alliance. In Marburg, she also coordinates the “KNEU on the MO:VE” program, which offers virtual courses and support structures that enable KNEU students to continue their studies despite the war. “Together, we ensure reliable structures for cooperation between the universities in Marburg and Kyiv,” she explains. “As coordinators, Elisabeth Schulte and I are involved in the design and implementation of all measures, ensuring that the framework conditions and specific characteristics of the German and Ukrainian higher education systems are taken into account.” This ranges from the development of joint courses to the coordination of study plans leading to degrees earned concurrently.

Digitalisation for a Resilient Learning Environment

The partnership between the Marburg University and KNEU has existed since 2008 and served as the starting point for both immediate emergency assistance and the strategic expansion of the collaboration. “Based on existing agreements, experience with student exchanges, and reliable contacts, we were able to respond quickly during the crisis and effectively scale up our cooperation,” emphasises Iryna Ivanets. As part of the MO:VE project, 45 courses have already been digitised, creating a flexible, resilient learning environment that has benefited more than 2,800 KNEU students to date.

At the same time, student mobility has expanded significantly since the start of the war: 60 KNEU students have been able to complete an exchange semester at Marburg University since 2022. The collaboration has led to a harmonisation of course content and objectives between the two universities. “This facilitates the mutual recognition of academic achievements and supports KNEU’s integration into the European Higher Education Area,” says Elisabeth Schulte. The cooperation between the two universities serves as an example to the EUPeace Alliance “of in-depth bilateral cooperation that goes far beyond traditional exchange programmes.”

The experience gained from developing collaborative digital course offerings is driving the further development of similar formats within the Alliance. “In addition, EUPeace benefits from Marburg’s expertise in managing large numbers of virtual students. The experiences in Ukraine embody the Alliance’s core concerns — conflict resolution, justice, inclusion, and resilience —and give EUPeace direct access to real-world experiences in these areas,” says Elisabeth Schulte. For instance, Ukrainian universities have developed innovative ways to maintain research, teaching, and knowledge transfer despite power outages, displacement, and hybrid learning under wartime conditions. Ukrainian and German universities are connected through nine other European university alliances and also benefit there from the DAAD’s accompanying national programme, funded by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space. It promotes academic exchange among students, researchers, and university staff from both countries, thereby sustainably strengthening joint European networks.

Focus on Ukraine’s reconstruction

Elisabeth Schulte and Iryna Ivanets also turn their attention to the reconstruction of Ukraine after the war ends, highlighting EUPeace’s contribution to strengthening academic infrastructure and expertise — a crucial factor in training the skilled professionals the country will urgently need in the coming years. Iryna Ivanets emphasises: “Through EUPeace courses, Ukrainian students acquire skills in negotiation and mediation as well as in transitional justice, thereby becoming key actors in the future peace process. Ukraine will need to rebuild infrastructure, adapt curricula on trauma and reconciliation, and reintegrate displaced communities — areas in which EUPeace can provide technical expertise and partnership models.”

Johannes Göbel (12 March 2026)