Kyiv university introduces DigiUni to provide online education to war-displaced students

Taras Shevchenko Kyiv National University unveiled a new project, "Digital University – Open Ukrainian Initiative," Ukrinform reports.

What is the problem?

Because of Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine, many graduates and high school children were forced to flee their country and complete their studies abroad. 

Many of the children were able to enter prestigious universities there, leaving many Ukrainian schools without talented applicants.

Ukraine is experiencing a "brain drain" and needs solutions to encourage young specialists to return to their homeland.

What is the solution?

One of the most prestigious schools in Ukraine, Taras Shevchenko Kyiv National University, presented a new project called "Digital University – Open Ukrainian Initiative" or DigiUni. It is a single digital educational system that uses digital innovations to provide continuous, inclusive, and transparent education, regardless of location.

The project was designed for the displaced students of Ukrainian universities who moved abroad or were displaced across Ukraine. 

"Thanks to our project, students will be able to continue their studies together with Ukrainian universities," said Rector Volodymyr Buhrov.

How does it work?

Ksenia Smirnova, the project coordinator and vice-rector at Shevchenko University, shared that the idea for the initiative was born on February 24, 2022, when Russia launched a full-fledged invasion of Ukraine.

The university held many negotiations to attract Ukrainian and international partners and succeeded, involving European universities in the program, she said.

"We proposed to create a systematic project, with appropriate quality control of digital content and new trends in the higher education system," the project coordinator said. "Such digital opportunities will give educators access to content, education, and new knowledge."

The project also introduces a procedure for recognizing qualifications and learning outcomes (ECTS credits) acquired in digital educational programs. 

Ukrainian universities can join the DigiUni-Ukraine Open Charter and become part of powerful alliances, participate in platforms filled with their materials, and use those already available from European partners. DigiUni is expected to become a digital platform that systematizes all digital content of Ukrainian and partner universities.

The project team includes 10 Ukrainian universities, the Ministry of Education and Science, the Ministry of Digital Transformation, the National Agency for Quality Assurance of Higher Education, the Ukrainian Association of IT Specialists, and foreign partner universities and associations of EU member states from France, Germany, Spain, Czech Republic and Poland.

The project is designed for four years and is financed by the European Union as part of the Erasmus+ program.

Rubryka reported that from September 1, 2023, Taras Shevchenko Kyiv National University decided to return to classroom teaching.

One of the university buildings was damaged in a Russian missile attack, the Rubryka photo correspondent reported from the scene.

Later, Shevchenko University shared how they restored unique stained glass windows damaged during Russian shelling.