Valentyna Yakubiv, Vice-Rector of Vasyl Stefanyk Precarpathian National University (PNU), shared her perspective on the university's collaboration with the EDUC alliance, highlighting the impact it has had on their research and the challenges faced by Ukrainian academics during the ongoing war.
Reflecting on nearly two years as an associated partner of EDUC, Valentyna Yakubiv noted that the partnership has been immensely beneficial. "The collaboration has opened numerous opportunities for our researchers, and we’ve appreciated the strong sense of community and shared values within the alliance." Prior to joining EDUC, PNU had already established links with Masaryk University, which helped facilitate their integration into the broader network.
Nanotechnology is a central focus of PNU’s research efforts, with the university working on synthesizing nanomaterials and analyzing their properties. Their expertise includes creating metal oxide nanoparticles, graphene oxide, and plant-derived porous carbon materials. Yakubiv expressed optimism about expanding this research through collaborations within EDUC-WIDE, specifically in applied materials science. "We expect to find partners for joint research and projects, allowing us to develop new solutions in nanomaterials and nanotechnology," she remarked.
Open Science is another priority for PNU, and Yakubiv believes EDUC-WIDE will significantly contribute to their efforts to make research more globally visible. "Our research is of world-class quality, and EDUC-WIDE will help us achieve international recognition through training on open-access publishing, data management, and the use of digital tools for research dissemination."
The war in Ukraine has brought unprecedented challenges for researchers, with many scientists being forced to leave the country. Despite these difficulties, Yakubiv highlighted PNU’s commitment to supporting those who remain. "Our university is working to create the necessary conditions — providing resources, infrastructure, and support — to ensure that research continues, even in these tough times." She emphasized the importance of fostering an environment that encourages researchers to stay in Ukraine and maintain the quality of their work.
Yakubiv also discussed the potential for EDUC-WIDE’s focus on career diversification to open new opportunities for PNU researchers. "Training in Open Science practices and access to global research networks will expand our researchers’ skill sets and perspectives, positioning them to engage in cross-disciplinary collaborations and broaden the impact of their work."
However, she acknowledged that pursuing an academic career in Ukraine comes with significant challenges. Limited funding, low salaries, and underdeveloped research infrastructure make it difficult to attract and retain young researchers. Despite this, Yakubiv remains hopeful, stating that ongoing efforts to increase research funding and improve academic support could help reverse this trend and create a more favourable environment for young talent.
On the issue of gender balance, Yakubiv noted that while the gender ratio in research fields at PNU is nearly equal, men still hold most leadership positions. "Although management roles are predominantly occupied by men, we are seeing more women breaking through, including myself as the first female Vice-Rector."
Looking to the future, Yakubiv believes Europe should focus its innovations on sustainability and cybersecurity. "Sustainability, particularly in the areas of recycling and waste reduction, is crucial for building a more responsible economic model. At the same time, the war has underscored the importance of strengthening cybersecurity to protect critical data and infrastructure."
As PNU navigates the challenges posed by the war, Yakubiv expressed gratitude for the support from EDUC. "The engagement of EDUC has been a tremendous source of stability for our research efforts. Being located in the west of Ukraine has allowed us to continue our activities, but the future remains unpredictable. International collaboration is more important than ever to ensure the continuity of our work."