HVL is developing educational cooperation with Ukraine
Two new projects at the Western Norway University of Applied Sciences will contribute to the Ukrainian resistance and the future reconstruction of the country.
The Norwegian government has allocated nearly 80 million Norwegian kroner through Nansen EDU, a Norwegian-Ukrainian cooperation for higher education. The funds will go to various projects aimed at supporting Ukrainian higher education. Two projects at HVL are among those that have been selected, and they will receive a total of 10 million kroner in support.
“There are many strong academic environments in Ukraine, and they can share valuable knowledge about emergency planning and technological development with Norwegian environments. Thus, we are establishing close, practical cooperation that will benefit both countries”, says Sigrun Aasland in a press release on the government’s website.
A key to rebuilding Ukraine
HVL has expertise in hydrogen technology that complements the competence of partners in Ukraine. The sharing of this competence will be one of HVLs main contribution to one of the two projects.
The aim is to share knowledge about building laboratories for teaching and research on hydrogen. The building of such laboratories in Ukraine will enable research and education at a high international level, with a focus on safe installation, operation, and training of students in hydrogen. The project is led by Jonathan Økland Torstensen, with Bjarte G. B. Solheim as deputy project leader and responsible for the teaching laboratories.
“The project will strengthen Ukraine’s ability to educate students in the field of renewable energy. This is extremely important for securing stable access to energy and achieving a green transition,” says Jonathan Økland Torstensen.
“Our goal is that the new laboratories will be used actively in teaching and research training. This will allow the students to gain practical experience with hydrogen technology,” says Bjarte G. B. Solheim.
New hydrogen courses will also be developed in Ukraine, aimed at students, the business sector, and veterans.
“We are particularly concerned with war veterans. Their opportunity to learn new occupational skills and reintegrate in the work force is a key to rebuilding Ukraine”, Torstensen continues.
The title of the project is Ukrainian Resilient Education and Applied Laboratories for Hydrogen Technology. It will be carried out in cooperation with the National Technical University of Ukraine (Kyiv Polytechnic Institute) and King Danylo University.
HVL will also receive funding to develop its own hydrogen lab and research infrastructure. Torstensen believes this will strengthen HVL’s position in international research on hydrogen technology, in addition to making HVL better equipped to apply for EU funding for research and development in the future.
Mutual learning and knowledge exchange
The second cooperative project involves students and staff in the early childhood education sector in both Ukraine and Norway. Through the project, they will gain first-hand experience with methods that make them better able to meet children’s needs in practice.
This project combines inclusive, play-based and movement-oriented pedagogy with STEAM approaches (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics). The goal is to develop an educational plan that ensures mutual learning and exchange for both Ukrainian and Norwegian education.
“We want to strengthen both students’ and staff’s basic and transferable skills and competencies, so that they are better equipped to lead change and development towards more sustainable societies,” says project leader Elin Ødegaard.
“This will help build strength and hope in a country at war, in addition to strengthening Norway’s role as a responsible and solidaric partner in Europe,” says Ødegaard.
The project will also give Norway a concrete laboratory for further developing early childhood pedagogy. The methods combine children’s need for play, movement and exploration with future-oriented competences within STEAM and sustainable development.
“The results will be important for early childhood teacher education in Norway. Through cooperation with Ukrainian academic environments, we will gain access to new, up-to-date practices in STEAM, digital teaching and citizenship,” she explains.
The title of the project is Renewal of Early Childhood Teacher Education in Ukraine and Norway (FUTURE4CHILD). The partners in Ukraine are Dragomanov National Pedagogical University and Kamianets-Podolski Ivan Ohiienko National University.
Facts about Nansen EDU
Nansen EDU is a Norwegian-Ukrainian cooperation for higher education. The purpose of these funds is to finance projects that will help strengthen higher education institutions, improve quality and relevance in Ukrainian educational programmes, and create more inclusive education for vulnerable groups. The programme is funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.