IT donation helps rebuild Ukraine partners' computer centre

The new centre replaces a facility that was tragically damaged during a missile attack on October 10, 2022. This initiative marks the first phase of support aimed at providing practical support to the Ukrainian academic community during an incredibly challenging time - providing essential resources for students, researchers, and academic staff to continue their work despite the ongoing conflict.

During the symbolic opening ceremony, Rector Volodymyr Bugrov expressed gratitude, stating: 

"We are sincerely grateful to our colleagues from Edinburgh for their willingness to stand by us in these difficult war times. I am also very appreciative of the teams from both universities who managed to set up the logistics and further cooperation in this field." 

The newly equipped room will serve as a hub for hybrid-format trainings, master classes, thematic lectures, and much more, according to Library Head Maryna Zhenchenko, who emphasised:

"The technical assistance from Edinburgh colleagues will help us establish a centre for various trainings and lectures in a hybrid format. This support will benefit students, PhD candidates, academic staff, and even librarians across Ukrainian higher education institutions, allowing us to resume local access to international databases."

Since entering partnership in 2022, Edinburgh has been committed to supporting KNU in any way possible. From the outset, providing IT equipment was a priority. However, navigating the complex logistics involved in shipping IT equipment to Ukraine took time and collaboration across multiple teams.

Through partnership with Edinburgh Remakery, a local social enterprise, the University was able to secure All-in-One computers, package them, and transport the equipment to a storage facility in London. From there, a dedicated NGO helped arrange for the shipment to Kyiv, ensuring safe and timely delivery. 

"This project has been a long journey of coordination across different departments, ensuring that the equipment was securely wiped and shipped according to strict logistical requirements," said Michelle Beagan, Senior Partnerships Advisor at Edinburgh Global. "Edinburgh Remakery’s role was critical in making this happen, and their support allowed us to push this project over the line." 

As well as the desktop equipment donated by Edinburgh Remakery, laptop computers were donated by Edinburgh Global. Ian MacDougall, from Edinburgh Global's Comms and IT team, was one of the team members who delivered this project. 

He said: "We provided this vital resource of computing equipment to KNU by repurposing University IT equipment which would otherwise be recycled. We refurbished laptops from Edinburgh Global staff and worked with colleagues in the School of Social and Political Sciences' IT Team, who provided laptops from their renewal cycle. There is potential to do more to help. Seeing this project's positive impact on our partners at KNU is so gratifying." 

Looking ahead, Edinburgh Global hopes to continue working closely with the University’s Social Responsibility and Sustainability (SRS) department to explore ways of scaling up future donations. As the need for networking equipment and other digital infrastructure at KNU remains critical, this initial success lays the groundwork for continued and expanded support.

The partnership between KNU and Edinburgh is more than an academic exchange—it’s a lifeline for colleagues working under extraordinary circumstances. The success of this first donation not only strengthens the academic community’s ties but also demonstrates a deep commitment to KNU’s long-term recovery and resilience. 

This newly equipped computer centre is a beacon of hope for the future—a tangible sign that, through partnership and perseverance, the global academic community can come together to rebuild, thrive, and look ahead to brighter days.

Find out more about our partnership with KNU

Read the article published by KNU on the re-opening of their Computer Centre

Waste less, live more with Edinburgh’s Remakery – find out more

The University of Edinburgh’s Social Responsibility and Sustainability website