The Role of Displaced Higher Education Institutions in Recovery Processes of War and Post-war Period: The Case of Volodymyr Dahl East Ukrainian National University

Abstract

The recovery of Ukraine will require the involvement of as many actors and resources as possible. Higher education institutions will play a significant role in the recovery of the country and its regions and communities. Educational institutions can participate in the recovery process both by training the required personnel and by directly participating in the development of relevant policies, programmes and strategic documents, analysing the needs and capabilities of local communities, providing advice and expert assistance in their areas of expertise, etc. There are already scientific publications and case studies that demonstrate the role of higher education institutions in recovery processes. Moreover, special attention is paid to displaced higher education institutions as those with specific experience and knowledge. The purpose of the article is to determine the role of displaced higher education institutions in the recovery and restoration of the country and its regions using the example of the twice displaced Volodymyr Dahl East Ukrainian National University. For this purpose, the article uses such methods as observation, analysis and synthesis. In addition, a survey was conducted among the staff and students of Volodymyr Dahl East Ukrainian National University regarding the role of the displaced higher education institution in the recovery process, the results of which are summarised in the article. Ukraine has experience in relocating higher education institutions, some of which were relocated twice in 2014 and 2022. The article examines the case of the Volodymyr Dahl EUNU and reveals the main activities and projects implemented by the university after the first and second relocations aimed at recovery and development of territorial communities. In particular, the institutionalised practices of participation of Volodymyr Dahl EUNU in the recovery processes are presented. The survey of academic staff and students of the university showed the distribution of opinions on the role of higher education institutions in the recovery of the community, the region and the country as a whole, and also identified the specific role of displaced HEIs in such processes. The study revealed the willingness and existence of active practices of participation of the academic staff and students in the recovery of socio-economic systems of various levels, as well as their readiness and conditions for joining such activities. The results of the survey conducted among the academic staff and students of the Volodymyr Dahl East Ukrainian National University show that the respondents are aware of the role of educational institutions in the recovery and restoration of communities, regions and the country as a whole, as well as their readiness to return to the liberated territories to restore them together with the university.