Online meeting strengthens international support for Ukrainian medical scientists

Odesa, Ukraine / Cardiff, Wales – May 14, 2025

An online meeting entitled “We stand with Ukraine: Supporting a New Generation of Doctors” brought together specialists from Odessa National Medical University (ONMedU) and Cardiff University, marking the start of a pilot initiative aimed at supporting Ukrainian postgraduate students and young scientists facing the challenges of the war.

The project was initiated by Professor Ole Petersen, a distinguished scholar at Cardiff University and Academic Director of the Cardiff Science Hub Academia Europaea. This new project aims to build academic bridges by establishing connections between Ukrainian postgraduate students, qualified medical professionals and scientific mentors from different countries in Europe.

In his opening remarks, Professor Petersen stressed that international cooperation should eliminate the consequences of the war for the Ukrainian academic community. “The destruction of infrastructure, the interruption of research and limited access to funding are seriously affecting the scientific sphere in Ukraine. Collaboration is necessary not only for the survival but also for the future of Ukrainian medical science,” he noted.

Leading scientists from Cardiff University – Professor Valerie O’Donnell and Professor Oleksiy Verkhratsky – joined the discussion, presenting opportunities for future collaboration in their fields of medicine. Their speeches highlighted the importance of integrating Ukrainian researchers into wider European scientific networks and creating sustainable partnerships.

Professor Valeria Marychereda and  Professor Viktoria Borshch presented Odessa National Medical University and shared their vision for the future development of the university. They highlighted the institution’s commitment to maintaining high academic standards, creating conditions for the activation of scientific and research activities of young scientists and active international cooperation, despite the difficult situation in the country.

ONMedU postgraduate students Oleksandr Shakhanov, Borys Bovsunovsky and Darya Drobot shared personal stories that vividly illustrated the conditions in which they continue their studies and scientific activities. The speeches became evidence of the resilience of young Ukrainian doctors and their determination to develop in the profession even in conditions of war.

The meeting was dedicated to finding practical and effective ways to support Ukrainian students and scientists through mentorship, international cooperation and expanding access to scientific resources. The project is seen as the first step towards expanding the support network for Ukrainian medical researchers in Europe.

It is worth noting with joy and optimism that this pilot initiative immediately aroused the interest of the international scientific community. The first to join it was Professor Zaal Kokaja from Lund University (Sweden). He promised to conduct a course on scientific publications for newly admitted ONMedU postgraduate students once a semester to help them resolutely enter the scientific world. And Professor Ole Petersen will compile a list of projects for new postgraduate students at Odessa National Medical University by September 2025 to facilitate the search for mentors. He also intends to make regular meetings between European mentors and ONMedU students based on the experience needed for their projects.

The initiative “We stand with Ukraine: Supporting a New Generation of Physicians” has become an important milestone in the development of a meaningful international academic partnership and has once again confirmed the solidarity of the global scientific community with Ukraine. Both universities hope to expand cooperation in the future and attract more partners from all over Europe.