Northern outpost: Chernihiv Polytechnic National University in the conditions of the russia-Ukrainian war

Abstract

During the full-scale war, educational institutions of Ukraine were at the epicenter of hostilities and suffered from attacks and bombing by the russian army: many schools, colleges, and universities were destroyed or damaged, and tens of thousands of students and teachers became refugees or forced displaced persons, lost their property and housing. Chernihiv Polytechnic National University (CPNU), located in the northern border region of Ukraine, was also significantly affected.This study aims to systematize the features of the functioning of CPNU under siege, bombing, and shelling. An analytical method was used to assess statistical reports available in open access on the official websites of CPNU and the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine. The paper identified that during active hostilities, 25% of the university’s infrastructure was destroyed by shelling and bombing; 37 teachers and researchers emigrated; about 4% of students stopped their studies. Currently, CPNU suffers from loss of human capital, physical destruction of educational and research infrastructures, lack of R&D financing, increased cyber security threats, and violation of the educational process. In response to military challenges, the university management rethinks and forms a new vision for further development based on sustainability principles to recover educational and research infrastructures, promote human capital development, and modernize the learning environment. The new vision of CPNU integrates “7R” principle – seven key pillars covering different directions of its operation (teaching, research, innovation, international activity, etc.).