SLU welcomes Ukrainian researchers through Erasmus+ exchange
SLU has granted Erasmus+ scholarships to two staff members from Sumy National Agrarian University, strengthening academic collaboration despite the ongoing challenges following Russia’s full-scale invasion in Ukraine.
Located just 20 kilometers from the Russian border in the northeast of Ukraine, Sumy National Agrarian University has been heavily affected by Russia’s full-scale invasion. Both staff and students have had to adapt rapidly, with most teaching conducted online and practical training often relocated to shelters for safety.
The visiting researchers, Oleksandr Mykhalko, associate professor at the Department of Feed Technology and Animal Nutrition and Yevheniia Dudnyk, lecturer at the Department of Veterinary and Sanitary Inspection, Microbiology, Hygiene and Pathological Anatomy, are spending approximately one month at SLU, where they are working closely with Galia Zamritskaia, Associate Professor in Food Science. Their stay is part of a broader effort to foster knowledge exchange and build long-term academic partnerships between agricultural universities in Ukraine and SLU.
The primary aim of the current mobility programme is to provide advanced training in chromatographic analysis, a key technique in veterinary and biomedical research. The visiting staff are gaining hands-on experience in a range of areas, including chromatographic methods, sample preparation, instrument operation, and data interpretation.
Emphasis is placed on analysing complex biological materials and developing optimised analytical methods—skills that are critical for modern research in agriculture, food science, and health.
Strengthening international collaboration
The exchange is a direct outcome of Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) signed between SLU and several Ukrainian agricultural universities. These agreements are designed to deepen cooperation in research and education, while also enabling staff and student mobility.
Beyond technical training, the Ukrainian participants are keen to learn more about the Swedish higher education model, which integrates research and teaching. Strengthening the structure and international standing of Ukrainian universities is seen as an important step toward closer integration with the European Union.
As part of this initiative, SLU is also hosting two Master’s students in Landscape Architecture from the Poltava National Agrarian University, further expanding academic ties between Sweden and Ukraine.
Despite the difficult circumstances at home, the exchange highlights the resilience of Ukraine’s academic community—and the role of international partnerships in supporting its future development.
Read more about the exchange at the SNAU's website
Erasmus+ support to Ukraine: four years of solidarity and action
Quote from Emma, Yevyeniia
What is Erasmus +?
With Erasmus+, training opportunities are available to staff working in education, both in teaching and non-teaching capacities.
Training periods abroad can consist of job shadowing, observation periods, professional development courses or specific competence-building events.
Erasmus+ supports training both at education institutions and at relevant organisations operating outside the sector.
Opportunities to take part in professional development activities are available to staff working at all levels of education. – European Commission