Staff and students from Lutsk National Technical University take in city and sights in week-long trip
Date posted
14 September 2023
09:36
Staff and students from Lutsk National Technical University have been visiting Edinburgh this week, marking Edinburgh Napier’s first in-person meeting with the institution as part of Universities UK’s UK-Ukraine twinning programme.
Edinburgh Napier was officially twinned with Lutsk National Technical University last year, with the partnership allowing both institutions to explore a range of collaborative projects together.
Up until now, the partnership had been developed online and most recently saw Edinburgh Napier’s English for Academic Purposes team working virtually with both staff and students from the University to improve their English communication skills.
This week however, staff and student representatives from Ukraine met with Edinburgh Napier Principal, Professor Andrea Nolan alongside meeting staff from all three campuses to discuss future partnership working and to learn more about Edinburgh Napier and its wide-ranging facilities.
The travelling party also got to enjoy the sights and sounds of Edinburgh, visiting the city’s historic Royal Mile, taking in several of its iconic landmarks.
Stuart Easter, Head of International Partnerships & Student Recruitment: “It is fantastic to welcome our twinning partner from Ukraine to visit us in Edinburgh this week. This follows over a year of virtual meetings to identify areas of potential collaboration for our two institutions. I’m delighted that as well as staff, Lutsk have been able to bring some of their student representatives as well.”
Prof Iryna Vakhovych, Rector, Lutsk National Technical University: “We are delighted to
visit our partners in Edinburgh. The city is wonderful and a breath of fresh air compared to Ukraine at the moment. We are excited to see all of the departments at ENU and to discuss about opportunities for partnership in a range of areas. Thank you so much for the kind welcome this week.”
The Universities UK’s UK-Ukraine twinning initiative has gone from strength to strength since its inception in March last year and now boasts more than 100 twinning partnerships between universities in both countries.
The landmark programme has enabled Ukrainian campuses to stay open, academics to continue vital teaching and research activities and most importantly, students have been given a lifeline to continue their studies.
More information on the scheme can be found here.