KSU and the University of Agder (Norway) Signed a Memorandum of Cooperation
"This memorandum serves as an official framework that legalizes and structures all further steps of interaction. It is crucial that our partner university demonstrates high openness to cooperation and a clear interest in joint projects and formats of interaction," emphasized Oleksandr Spivakovsky.
The signing was preceded by a productive meeting with the Rector and the Head of the International Office, Christina Milsom.
The KSU team delivered a comprehensive presentation of the university, which included:
KSU’s vision and strategic priorities;
The expertise of KSU researchers, particularly through interaction with the KSU Center for Digital Expertise;
The university's transformation during the war and relocation, viewed as a crisis management model that may be of interest to partners;
A demonstration of the infrastructure's state before the war and the scale of destruction today;
Examples of the academic community's resilience, continuing to work despite extreme conditions.
"We showed the state of destroyed buildings, dormitories, and even photos of my destroyed home and the homes of our employees. For our partners, this became direct and visual evidence of the reality of war, rather than just media reports," noted Oleksandr Spivakovsky.
During the discussion, key areas for potential interaction were identified:
Digitalization of education and university processes;
International mobility;
Scientific cooperation;
Development of the Faculty of Medicine;
Exchange of best practices in teacher education.
"Special attention was paid to the university's Faculty of Medicine. KSU trains specialists for the Kherson region who are already working today in the extremely difficult conditions of a frontline region. Kherson doctors perform surgeries under time constraints and high risks, as evacuating the wounded to other cities (Mykolaiv, Odesa) is often impossible or critically delays aid. Our students also serve as members of ambulance crews. These are all real cases that shape practical skills. That is why local personnel training is a matter not only of education but also of security and the development of the region's human potential," the KSU Rector explained.
The parties discussed the motivation of students to return to their homeland, the university's mission to preserve the academic community and Kherson identity, and the formation of a workforce for their native Kherson region.
The Norwegian side presented the current state of academic mobility for students, discussing the possibility of studying in a European environment to learn best practices and subsequently implement this knowledge in Ukraine for the country's reconstruction and modernization.
The visit to the University of Agder is a significant step in expanding international academic cooperation. The signed memorandum and substantive negotiations open a practical stage of collaboration focused on joint educational, scientific, and recovery initiatives.
"I am grateful to the team – Alla Tsapiv, Yevheniia Revenko, Maksym Poltoratskyi, and Liubov Petukhova," concluded Oleksandr Spivakovskiy.
KSU Press Center