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The following text has been machine translated from the German with no human editing.
This interdisciplinary and internationally oriented series of events forms part of the “Saar-Ukraine University Network” (SUUN) project and is organised in collaboration with partner universities in Ukraine. As a hybrid format, it brings together students, lecturers and researchers from various countries in a shared dialogue space. Members of the public are also welcome to attend.
The focus is on key questions regarding the future of higher education under extreme conditions: How do universities safeguard academic freedom and institutional stability? What role do educational institutions play in times of war, migration and digital transformation? And how can international cooperation contribute to strengthening democratic structures?
Higher education in Ukraine in the context of the war
Under the title “Relations, Resilience, Resistance: Challenges for Higher Education in Ukraine and Beyond”, experts from academia and practice will examine the profound changes in the Ukrainian education sector in five lectures and an international round-table discussion. The events will take place online via Zoom at every Thursday from 4.00 pm to 6.00 pm (CEST) and are aimed at students from all disciplines as well as the interested public.
The series opens on 11 June 2026 with a lecture by Viktoria Sereda (Kyiv School of Economics) entitled “Academic Freedom and Resilience: Scholars in Times of War”, which will address the situation of academics during the war and the challenges facing academic freedom. Further events will address, among other topics, the impact of the war on the school and education system, the situation of universities in exile, the role of the Ukrainian academic diaspora, the educational trajectories of Ukrainian students abroad, as well as processes of European integration and the internationalisation of higher education.
A highlight will be the round table on 25 June on “Borders in Flux and Academic Communities: Ukrainian Higher Education in a Wartime Context”, in which representatives of Ukrainian universities will discuss experiences of displacement, institutional resilience and the psychosocial impact of the war on academic communities.
Open programme and international networking
With its open format, the series makes an important contribution to Saarland University’s internationalisation strategy. At the same time, it strengthens sustainable academic networks between European and Ukrainian higher education institutions. The aim is to create a shared space for reflection in which responses to the current challenges facing higher education can be developed.
Background: SUUN project
The lecture series is part of the “Saar-Ukraine University Network” (SUUN) project, which promotes international academic exchange and develops innovative teaching formats. It is funded as part of the DAAD’s German-Ukrainian University Networks. In addition to knowledge transfer, the focus is particularly on long-term cooperation between the participating institutions.
Dates: 11 June – 16 July 2026
Time: Thursdays, 4.00–6.00 pm (CEST)
Format: online (Zoom)
Target audience: Students, researchers and the interested public
Link to the project: https://www.amerikanistik.uni-saarland.de/saarland-ukraine/suun
You can find the link to join online (via Zoom) at: https://www.amerikanistik.uni-saarland.de/saarland-ukraine/suun-news
Contact:
Prof. Dr Astrid M. Fellner (Academic Director), Tel.: 0681 302-2770, Email: astrid.fellner(at)uni-saarland.de
Dr Alina Mozolevska (Project Coordinator) & Eva Nossem (Institutional Coordinator), Tel: 0681 302-3573, Email: project-suun(at)uni-saarland.de