Through a new joint endeavor between eCornell and Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Ukrainian citizens and refugees are completing Cornell certificate programs.

The collaboration grants scholarships to government employees, working adults, university faculty and students from Ukraine and the country’s refugees located around the world. The second cohort launched in March, and the first 150 learners are expected to complete their programs later this year.

“eCornell is committed to fostering skill advancement for those in Ukraine who are confronting significant obstacles. Our goal is to make a substantial impact in the lives of individuals and contribute positively to the broader Ukrainian community,” said Paul Krause, vice provost of external education and executive director for eCornell. “In collaboration, we are providing access to educational programs developed by Cornell’s distinguished faculty, presented in a remote learning format that is particularly beneficial for displaced scholars and individuals ready to apply advanced technological and operational skills within Ukraine.”

Seven certificate programs are available: AI Strategy, Business Strategy, Digital Transformation, Hybrid Work Strategy, Project Management, Public Sector Leadership and Python Programming. Learners must commit to completing their certificate programs and contribute their new skills to support their communities.

University students, faculty and public servants participate in dedicated private cohorts with specific start and end dates. Non-governmental employees complete their programs asynchronously within diverse, global groups of eCornell learners. Each certificate can be earned in fewer than five months.

"Our learners are incredibly devoted to their programs, despite facing significant challenges due to the war. They persevere in their learning and continue with their daily lives — even when bombs go off or they have setbacks such as a lack of electricity for a short time,” said Anzhela Ignatyuk, dean of the faculty of economics at Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv. “Some learners get deployed with very short notice or commit to only the next two weeks before returning to the military field. Despite these unstable living conditions, they remain focused and committed to using their new skills to rebuild their infrastructure."

Academic leaders from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv manage recruitment, select scholarship recipients and provide enrollment guidance to learners.

“My motivation to attain the Digital Transformation certificate is rooted in my aspiration to remain at the forefront of technological progress, particularly in the context of rebuilding Ukraine,” said Oksana Domina, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Helsinki. “The certificate will not only validate my expertise but also empower me to drive digital innovation within the unique landscape of Ukraine, where a nuanced understanding of contemporary technologies is crucial for continued growth."

With a population of more than 26,000 students, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv is Ukraine's higher education and research hub. The collaboration is one of eCornell’s social impact programs, which provide development opportunities to students and adults who otherwise would not have access to them. 

"Cornell’s certificate programs provide new knowledge, skills and expertise not only to our students and teachers who join the training but also to the working potential of Ukraine in general. It is especially important that representatives from civil service, military and business gain access to these programs because they are the drivers of our country's security and economic development," said Ignatyuk.

"This joint program with Cornell demonstrates our shared belief in a sustainable future for Ukraine,” said Ganna Kharlamova, a professor in the economic cybernetics department at Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv. “The learners will apply their new skills and knowledge to rebuild Ukraine and elevate our nation’s status in the global community.”

Participants will be surveyed to assess the extent to which the program achieves positive results, said Krause, who looks forward to exploring further opportunities to expand impact.

“I am sincerely grateful that this cooperation is not a one-time action — it has a clear development strategy,” Ignatyuk said. “We hope for further joint projects because we feel strong support from Cornell.”