University to raise funds to rebuild campus amid ongoing war

The Sumy State University in eastern Ukraine is looking to set up an international fundraising campaign to rebuild its campus after a devastating Russian bombing back in April. But Russia is trying to close in on the city once more, with troops advancing only 25 kilometres away, three years after Ukraine’s military forced them out of the region, writes Florin Zubascu for Science|Business.

The university is located in the city of Sumy, not too far from Ukraine’s eastern border with Russia and some 330 kilometres east of Kyiv. The university suffered significant damage from Russian missile strikes on the city back in April, which resulted in 35 deaths (including two students at the university), and over 100 injuries. The university’s international affairs office and several buildings were destroyed, causing approximately US$5.3 million in damage, according to Alla Krasulia, head of the university’s international affairs department.

Despite the bombing, the university continues courses and research, including with international partners, and is now setting up a fundraising campaign to start rebuilding the campus. Since the attack, the university has already managed to partially repair the roof of its congress centre, which was also destroyed in the bombing. Ivan Kozii, vice-rector for scientific and pedagogic work, said the university does not have a lot of money and is looking for ways to attract international grants and rebuild parts of the campus, as well as ways to cut overhead costs by saving energy and installing a solar station.
Full report on the Science|Business site