Ukraine

The memorandum sets out a shared programme of work centred on adapting Norwegian experience with psychological support to the Ukrainian context, where the reintegration of soldiers and veterans is one of the most pressing tasks facing the health, psychology and rehabilitation professions.

The meeting in Kyiv gathered the university's senior leadership, including First Vice-Rector Professor Oleksandr Naumenko, Vice-Rector for International Relations Professor Rimma Skrypnyk, Vice-Rector Professor Oleksandr Kaniura, Vice-Rector Professor Volodymyr Tytykalo, Vice-Rector for Science and Innovation Professor Nazarii Kobyliak, Professor Serhii Zemskov of the Institute of Medicine, Associate Professor Ivanna Sakhanda-Piddiacha of the international relations department, Associate Professor Lesia Lymar of the centre for continuing professional education, and Professor Oleh Chaban of the Institute of Mental Health.

KBT was represented by Deputy Director Roger Santokhie, International Coordinator Nils-Erik Volden and Project Coordinator Trond Erik Berg. The visit was arranged through the Global Coalition of Ukrainian Studies, a network of universities and research institutions working to strengthen Ukrainian studies internationally.

In his presentation, Roger Santokhie described KBT as one of Northern Europe's leading institutions in mental health recovery and peer support, with a distinctive expertise in building educational programmes on the knowledge of people who have lived through crisis and trauma. The university underlined its own strong base for training the doctors, psychologists and rehabilitation specialists who will carry the reintegration of veterans, and welcomed the Norwegian initiatives.