UK Partner
Christopher Morris, Teaching Fellow, PME, School of Strategy, Marketing and Innovation: professional military education
Ukraine Partner
Maryna Shepel, Associate Professor of the Department of Public Management and Administration, Institute of Economics and Management,Odesа Polytechnic National University
Oleksandr Balan, Head of Department Department of Public Management and Administration, Institute of Economics and Management, Odesа Polytechnic National University
Denis Savchenko, winner of the first level of education of the Odesа Polytechnic National University
Ilya Samarchenko, graduate of the third level of education of the Odesа Polytechnic National University
Project objectives
The central aim is to explore possible means of improving the access of Ukrainian veterans and servicepeople to higher education through digital means. This contributes to the economic welfare of Ukraine in that it will explore the extent to which digitisation can help mitigate some of the limitations imposed on conventional higher education by the ongoing conflict.
Primarily, the project results will contribute to the development of recommendations regarding: the state policy implementation in the field of education, science, innovation and technology transfer; veterans’ reintegration into the system of self-government and small business development. Whilst the study itself will be confined to the experiences of students within a single district, the intent is to produce recommendations that will be of wider regional and national relevance.
There are a number of additional contributions associated with this study. Firstly, Higher education can play a key role in reintegration, giving former service people the skills and qualifications to succeed post service. Secondly, the provision of skills to veterans allows them to play a continued role in the welfare of Ukraine. Most vitally, this study will assist the Ukrainian higher education sector to more comprehensively utilise digital strategies to overcome many of the constraints imposed by the current conflict.
Project goals
The fundamental aim is to determine to what extent digitisation can enhance the accessibility of higher education programmes in Ukraine, as well as exploring the potential to overcome institutional limitations and mitigate costs. It will proceed in three phases.
1. Identify barriers
2. Identify relevant good practice.
3. recommendations
The first phase will consist of a survey of the major barriers encountered by Ukrainian veterans regarding access to Higher education courses. The intent is to draw directly upon the experiences of staff and students within the Department of public management and administration within Odesa Polytechnic National University. This this phase will additionally explore the efficacy of existing digital education courses.
The second phase will involve identifying good practice. This will be accomplished by a review of literature and assessment of existing programmes of digital education. The intention is to examine successful digitisation strategies that could add value, taking into account constraints identified in the first phase. The intention here is to consider if existing strategies and technologies can work in Ukraine, given constraints on funding, access to technology and infrastructure.
The final phase will consist of assembling recommendations. Whilst the study concentrates on the specific context of Odesa polytechnic, the aim will be to identify wider lessons, considering what solutions in terms of digital education may be scalable on a regional or national context. It will additionally consider the limitations of digital education in relation to Ukrainian veterans in higher education.
A central concern is that whilst digital education can be effective, the implementation of digital solutions in the context of Ukraine should give due regard to conditions prevailing in the country. There is additionally a need to critically consider existing research on effective use of digital learning: whilst there are some interesting insights available given the rapid adoption of digital methods following the global covid pandemic, not all have proven to be effective. Given the urgency of the issue, and the critical role higher education is set to play in the reintegration of Ukrainian veterans and the subsequent prosperity of the nation, it is vital that the solutions adopted are appropriate.
Role of each Partner
The Portsmouth partners
Phase two: Conduct review of existing digital education strategies
Phase three: Compilation of recommendations
Administrative other: draft wider policy recommendations (outcome 2),draft guidance for external partners (outcome 3),explore further avenues for publication
The Odesa partners
Phase one:
• Collection of data regarding barriers to higher education amongst Ukrainian veterans @Odessa Polytechnic e.g.
• Technology
• Access to resources
• Infrastructure/ bandwidth etc.
Phase two: Assist with identifying good practice
Phase three: Compilation of recommendations
Administrative/other: Coordination of subsequent grant bid (outcome 1), Coordination of translation, Coordination of research assistant to work on localisation of guidelines and recommendations.
Timing
Project Start Date: 20 Jan 2023
Project End Date: 01 April 2023
Expected results
1. Grant Bid: higher education, physical accessibility for Ukrainian veterans
2. Policy recommendations: tracking engagement, attendance and attainment of Ukrainian veterans.
3. Guidelines for external partners working with Ukrainian veterans/ Ukrainian higher education institutions
4. Publication of a research article in the Journal of Higher Education or similar.
