Vytautas Magnus University (VDU) has reached out to the academic community and partners to support Ukrainian universities that are enduring significant disruptions due to the war. According to Volodymyr Bugrov, the Rector of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, students and staff are facing continuous challenges, including the detrimental impact of attacks on civilians and critical energy infrastructure. This has resulted in a severe lack of heating and electricity during harsh winter conditions, posing a serious threat to the safety and wellbeing of the academic community.

Despite these hardships, teaching at Ukrainian universities continues amidst power outages, with exams scheduled during air alert periods. Research activities unfold without access to laboratories and digital resources, and both students and faculty are juggling forced relocations, volunteer responsibilities, and the need to care for their families. VDU's rector, Prof. Dr. Ineta Dabašinskienė, highlights the extraordinary resilience exhibited by the Ukrainian academic community as the war enters its fifth year.

The situation underscores the immense challenges faced by educational institutions in war-torn regions, calling for greater international solidarity and support. VDU's initiative is not only a response to the immediate needs of these universities but also a recognition of the broader impact of war on education and research. The international academic community is urged to stand in solidarity with Ukrainian institutions, emphasizing the importance of maintaining educational integrity and continuity during such crises.