From 6 to 9 October 2026
Kraków, Poland

Nataliia Vinnikova, Vice-Rector for Research and International Affairs at Borys Grinchenko Kyiv Metropolitan University, participated in the first training module of DOWIRA Lead programme, “Rethinking Leadership in Higher Education”, held from 6 to 9 October 2026 in Kraków, Poland.

The “Developing Opportunities for Women’s Initiatives and Resilience in Academia” (DOWIRA) project is implemented by the British Council in Ukraine in partnership with Advance HE (Great Britain). The programme aims to foster women’s leadership, strengthen the institutional resilience of Ukrainian universities and support systemic change in academia. Nataliia Vinnikova was selected as one of 20 female vice-rectors following a competitive selection process involving applicants from higher education institutions across different regions of Ukraine.

Throughout the training, female vice-rectors from Ukrainian universities explored current issues in university governance alongside international partners, renowned experts in women’s leadership and representatives of the London School of Economics. They also took part in joint sessions with female rectors of Ukrainian universities. The participants focused on adaptive leadership in wartime, strategic agility, the organisational resilience of higher education institutions, partnership and mentoring. Particular attention was paid to methodologies that encourage collaborative problem-solving, the exchange of management experience and the development of inter-university cooperation.

We would like to thank the British Council in Ukraine and Advance HE for creating this timely and valuable programme, which opens up new opportunities for professional dialogue, mutual support and the development of Ukrainian higher education.