Bath Spa is the latest founder member to join Ukraine Britain Business council and brings its expertise and network with Ukrainian Universities to the council.
Bath Spa University is a leading university in creativity, culture, and enterprise with teaching and research strengths in the creative arts, humanities, sciences, education, social science, and business. The University has been working with Ukrainian universities for over a decade, particularly with Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Sumy State University, Chernivtsi National University, and, most recently, the International University of Economics and Humanities in Rivne, much of it supported by EU funding. The importance of its work in Ukraine was highlighted in a recent Universities UK report, ‘Lessons from the UK Higher Education Sector Response to the Invasion of Ukraine’.
Professor John Strachan, Pro Vice Chancellor for Research and Enterprise, said: “As a university with longstanding friendships and partnerships across Ukraine, we are delighted to be the first higher education member of the new Ukraine Britain Business Council, and to support its commitment to a free and prosperous Ukraine in equal standing with its European partners.”
Professor Ian Gadd, who has led on several Ukrainian projects at Bath Spa University, added: “The Ukrainian government has highlighted the internationalisation of its higher education sector as a key national priority, and membership of the UBBC will provide an invaluable opportunity for Bath Spa University to continue its work in supporting and strengthening universities across Ukraine.”
Christophe Michels, MD of UBBC says ‘Bath Spa is a significant addition to our repertoire of members for their existing network, and for the opportunity to support and navigate the opportunities for Ukraine and the UK’s future development. We have seen how education becomes a lead sector as countries recover from conflict, as they rebuild better and smarter and give their young people new hope and expertise. Bath Spa will be at the forefront of this collaboration, and we value their capabilities and network for our members and the wider UK Ukrainian community.’