Due to the Russian aggression and occupation of Melitopol, the Pedagogical University was temporarily relocated to the city of Zaporizhzhia. The University confidently moves forward and demonstrates its indomitability, even despite the fact that all university buildings (including 12 modern laboratories and research centers), property and equipment were seized by the Russian occupational administration. The university continues its work in the legal field of Ukraine and is currently running an admission campaign for the 2022-2023 academic year.

Vice-Rector Dr. Olena Arabadzhi: “One more challenge was caused when some of the university teachers started to collaborate with the occupiers’ local government and russian soldiers. But even under the pressure of armored soldiers more than three-thirds of the university staff stand for Ukraine and continue to develop Ukrainian higher education, even though part of them are staying in the occupied territory. Several of the university professors were kidnapped and tortured by russians.

We do really value the world’s understanding and empathy to the Ukrainians in their struggle against russian terrorism, violence and aggression. Bogdan Khmelnytsky Melitopol State Pedagogical University teachers and students still need support and help from the international community. We do all possible and impossible to stay alive as an institution, to be engaged in the struggle and to share the victory over russian aggression.”

The Melitopol Pedagogical University is not only an educational institution but also a key hub for the further education and development of young people from the occupied South of Ukraine. TEEI runs an emergency relief campaign for Bogdan Khmelnytsky Melitopol State Pedagogical University with the aim of securing funds and equipment for the university to continue its work.