University without Walls: Experience of Berdyansk State Pedagogical University during the war

Abstract

This study presents the experience of managing Berdyansk State Pedagogical University in the first year of a full-scale war. The purpose is to analyze the impact of management decisions on the performance indicators of the university in the conditions of temporary occupation and relocation to a new place. The relocation of Berdyansk State Pedagogical University (BSPU) to a safer territory enabled the resumption of educational activities in May 2022, after 53 days of functioning under occupation by russian troops. University staff decreased by 13%, with 57% moving to Ukraine-controlled territories and 43% remaining in the occupied zone. In addition, the student contingent decreased by 15%. The university’s scientific activity during the war decreased for only 9% in publication activity, and funding for science in 2023 increased by 379% compared to 2021. The university continued its third mission of social cooperation by providing humanitarian and psychological assistance and documenting the testimonies of people affected by the occupation. The university community currently exists in a virtual format, with staff and students in different parts of Ukraine and the world. The university must look to the future and overcome existing problems, such as preserving academic potential and student contingent, restoring electronic systems, and continuing pedagogical education. AcknowledgmentThis study was funded by the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine (grants 0121U10942 and 0123U100110).We are grateful to the Armed Forces of Ukraine for providing the security necessary to conduct this analysis. This work would not have been possible without the perseverance and courage of the Ukrainian army.We also thank the entire team of Berdyansk State Pedagogical University. Thanks to your perseverance, resilience, and unity, the university continues to operate for the development of Ukraine.

Factors Influencing Scientific Activity of University Faculty Members in Peaceful Pre-COVID-19, COVID-19, and War Periods

“…The almost equivalent number of publications in the pre-war and wartime periods is related to the fact that even during the war, faculty members understood their responsibility to society. Additionally, the university introduced free publications in a professional journal, which encouraged faculty members to submit their articles for publication (Lopatina et al, 2023) At the same time, the responses from the respondents to the question "Indicate which period was the most successful for your publishing activity over the past 5 years?" (Figure 1) showed that for a larger number of faculty members, 46.2% of the most successful periods were before COVID-19 and the war in Ukraine.…”

“…In particular, over the past five years, the world has undergone various dynamic changes that have impacted the effectiveness of teachers. These changes include COVID-19 (Gewin, 2021;Naumann et al, 2022;Pyhältö et al, 2023), Russia's war against Ukraine (Kurapov et al, 2023;Lopatina et al, 2023;Suchikova, 2023;, and a constant transformation of Ukraine's educational policy, which affects the list of faculty members' duties and scientific activity, ultimately impacting their effectiveness.…”

Inclusive education in higher education institution: Are Ukrainian faculty members’ ready for it?

“…The need to develop digital competencies is also mentioned in other studies (Barbas and Matos, 2023; Brown, 2023). These issues are especially relevant today for Ukraine, where most universities operate online in a distance format (Lopatina et al, 2023; Marynchenko et al, 2022; Suchikova, 2023; Suchikova et al, 2023; Suchikova and Tsybuliak, 2023).…”

Burnout dynamic among Ukrainian academic staff during the war

“…Additionally, a significant number of academic staff members have been forced to flee their homes due to the occupation of their hometowns or escalating military activities. As a result, they have sought refuge in safer regions of Ukraine or abroad, causing additional personal tribulations and stress 34 , 42 . Some members of academic staff have been, or continue to be, subjected to relentless attacks by occupiers while residing in occupied territories 43 , 44 .…”