Odesa National Medical University and Queen Mary University of London Celebrate Ukrainian Culture Week in the United Kingdom

Queen Mary University of London is proud to join its long-standing partner, Odesa National Medical University (ONMedU), in celebrating Ukrainian Culture Week in the United Kingdom, taking place from 3 to 14 November 2025.
The initiative marks the Day of Ukrainian Language and Writing, traditionally celebrated on 9 November, and aims to honour Ukraine’s culture, language, resilience, and academic achievements.

The initiative is implemented by the Global Coalition for Ukrainian Studies (GCUS) under the patronage of the First Lady of Ukraine, Olena Zelenska, in partnership with the Fund of the President of Ukraine for Education, Science and Sport, and with the support of the Ukrainian Institute, the Office of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, the UK–Ukraine Twinning Initiative, and the Cormack Consultancy Group.

This week provides an important opportunity for UK universities and their Ukrainian partners to jointly celebrate the richness of Ukrainian culture while further strengthening the academic and community ties established through the Twinning programme, which connects higher education institutions in both countries.

As a part of this collaboration, academics from Odesa National Medical University have presented three thematic lectures focusing on Ukraine’s cultural heritage, the history of education, and public health. These lectures became a psrt of a broader international educational and cultural programme designed to help the British academic community to gain a deeper understanding of Ukraine.

Lecture Programme:

• Transforming SRHR Services for Young People in Ukraine: Evidence, Policy and Practice — delivered by the First Vice-Rector, Valeriia Marichereda, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Ukrainian Culture through the Prism of Folk Traditions and Holidays — delivered by Prof. Liliia Filiuk, Department of Social Sciences
• The Emergence of Higher Medical Education for Women in Ukraine in the Early 20th Century — delivered by Prof. Olena Uvarova, Department of Social Sciences

All three lectures have been uploaded to the Queen Mary University of London online learning platform for permanent access: https://qmplus.qmul.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=29084, allowing as many students, academics, and alumni as possible to explore and engage with the materials.

We are confident that this inspiring initiative will help to strengthen academic and cultural ties, increase awareness about Ukraine, and amplify its cultural voice on the global stage. Even small steps and shared actions can have a powerful impact — fostering solidarity, understanding, and support for Ukraine in these challenging times.