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Austrian universities join forces for Ukrainian studies
In 2025, universities from Graz, Innsbruck, Klagenfurt and Vienna will establish a global coalition for Ukrainian studies to promote research and education.
Austrian universities join forces for Ukrainian studies
On June 17, 2025, a new milestone was set in Austria's academic landscape: the University of Graz, the University of Innsbruck, the University of Klagenfurt and the University of Vienna joined forces to form the Global Coalition for Ukrainian Studies. This step, which was celebrated in the presence of the First Lady of Ukraine, Olena Zelenska, is intended to strengthen exchanges and academic cooperation in the field of Ukrainian studies. The establishment of the coalition, which was initiated in July 2024, is a significant step towards promoting international discourse about Ukraine and developing educational and research projects in this topic, such as medienportal.univie.ac.at describes.
The coalition particularly focuses on interdisciplinary research fields that include the language, literature, history and culture of Ukraine. When the contract was signed, a Memorandum of Cooperation was adopted, which consolidates the cooperation between the Ukrainian Institute and the Austrian universities. The key points include the development of programs to disseminate knowledge about Ukraine, the exchange of experiences and resources, and the organization of joint scientific events.
Academic voices on cooperation
The rectors of the participating universities expressed optimism about the benefits of this collaboration. Sebastian Schütze, Rector of the University of Vienna, emphasized the importance of strengthening academic cooperation in the field of Ukrainian studies. Peter Riedler, Rector of the University of Graz, pointed out the relevance of education and cultural exchange for Europe. Ada Pellert, Rector of the University of Klagenfurt, emphasized academic solidarity, while Veronika Sexl, Rector of the University of Innsbruck, emphasized the promotion of Austrian-Ukrainian university cooperation.
Wider European engagement
This commitment cannot be viewed in isolation. Other initiatives, such as the Interdisciplinary Ukraine Studies Competence Network in Frankfurt (Oder) and Berlin, funded by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), will receive support of 2.5 million euros. At its opening on July 11, 2024, numerous creative measures were presented, including scholarships for researchers and a certificate program for students, which is scheduled to start in the next winter semester, according to reports europa-uni.de.
The DAAD is also funding the establishment of two additional centers for interdisciplinary Ukraine studies in Germany so that Ukraine expertise in Europe can be further expanded. As part of these projects, departments and institutions are intended to work together and to improve communication between actors from science and civil society, as shown daad.de is to be read.