What is Twinning?

Following the attempted full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, and the continuing war the Ukrainian higher education sector has been under significant pressure. Universities in the towns and cities that have been attacked have suffered significant damage, with both students and staff either being displaced or mobilised to defend their country.

Willing to help Ukrainian higher education sector, Cormack Consultancy Group alongside Universities UK have come up with the model called Twinning which has allowed international, in particular British universities, to offer tailored support to each Ukrainian university.

Twinning is an institution-to-institution partnership framework to support Ukrainian higher education, both through short-term aid and long-term activities that help sustain and rebuild Ukrainian universities, economy and society. 


“My deep gratitude to the Cormack Consultancy Group for supporting the Ukrainian HEIs  in difficult times for our country. We would especially like to note the high professionalism of the organization's employees, their desire to look for appropriate options for cooperation and help Ukrainian lecturers to develop and improve their competence.”

Liliia Hrynevych, Vice Rector,
Borys Grinchenko Kyiv University (Academic and International Affairs)

Twinning initiative is free and voluntary

It is based on academic autonomy, initiative, responsibility, integrity, and due diligence. 

Twinning partnerships provide a wide range of practical assistance. E.g.:

English language support

Delivery of life-sustaining equipment and supplies

Fundraising campaigns

Access to academic resources
i.e. libraries and databases 

Upskilling programmes for Ukrainian staff

Development of cotutelle models

Student and staff short-term mobility programmes

Joint research projects & consortia for grant application

Development of dual degree programmes

THE ABOVE LIST IS NOT EXHAUSTIVE NOR MANDATORY and depends on needs, strengths, and resources of Twinned partners.