STARS EU and Petro Mohyla Black Sea National University formalize strategic partnership in Bragança

The agreement with the Ukrainian university promotes academic cooperation, as well as collaboration in research, innovation, and mobility

The rectors and presidents of the nine STARS EU universities have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Petro Mohyla Black Sea National University (PMBSNU), Ukraine, formally establishing it as a Strategic Associated Partner of the Alliance. The agreement was signed during the STARS EU Annual Meeting 2026 in Bragança (Portugal) in the presence of PMBSNU Rector Leonid Klymenko.

The signing brought together the leadership of all STARS EU member universities under the theme “STARS EU Goes Global”. It gives the developing relationship with PMBSNU a clear long-term framework. The Memorandum provides a framework for cooperation in education, research and innovation, joint projects, mobility, knowledge exchange, and participation in STARS EU activities, including Thematic Interest Groups, workshops, and conferences.

For PMBSNU Rector Leonid Klymenko, who attended the signing in person, the agreement recognizes cooperation already established and opens the way for its further development. “For Petro Mohyla Black Sea National University, this Memorandum is much more than a formal agreement. It connects us more closely with a strong European academic community and creates new opportunities for our students and staff. Even under extremely difficult conditions, we want to contribute our expertise and build long-term partnerships with our European colleagues. We are grateful to STARS EU for its trust and openness.”

 A partner that fits the STARS EU profile

The partnership builds on a strong institutional and thematic fit. Located in Mykolayiv, PMBSNU is a multidisciplinary regional university outside the national capital, closely connected to its region and with a strong international orientation. This corresponds well to the STARS EU profile of universities combining regional engagement with European ambitions.

The relationship became more structured during the STARS EU Annual Conference in Opava in March 2026 when PMBSNU representatives met the STARS EU Commission, Steering Committee, and thematic teams. Following these discussions, the Commission recognized PMBSNU as a Strategic Associated Partner and requested formalization through a Memorandum of Understanding.

From institutional agreement to concrete cooperation

Three STARS EU Thematic Interest Groups – Healthy Ageing, Digital Transformation, and Inclusion and Social Justice – have been identified as particularly promising areas for cooperation, in fact, PMBSNU researchers already participate in STARS EU academic events.

Most recently, six representatives joined the international conference “Legal and Social Justice Perspectives on Human Vulnerabilities in Europe” in Besançon (France) within the Inclusion and Social Justice TIG, bringing perspectives from a university and society directly affected by war. “Our cooperation with colleagues from PMBSNU shows how much we can gain by bringing different European experiences together. Their participation adds an important dimension to our work on inclusion, vulnerability and social justice and opens opportunities for joint research and academic activities. We see considerable potential to continue this cooperation within our TIG. It is an honor to have them in the alliance”, explained STARS EU members involved.

                                – Célia Berger-Tarare, Leader of the STARS EU TIG Inclusion and Social Justice

Cooperation is also developing through mobility and joint European project initiatives. Several STARS EU universities have submitted Erasmus+ KA171 applications to support future student and staff exchanges with PMBSNU, while partners are also jointly preparing and submitting proposals under European funding programs.

Part of a wider European commitment to Ukraine

The partnership also connects with the wider engagement of European University Alliances with Ukraine. STARS EU actively participates in the FOREU4ALL Cooperation with Ukraine Topical Group where alliances exchange experience and explore sustainable models for long-term cooperation with Ukrainian universities.

For STARS EU, cooperation with PMBSNU therefore combines direct academic partnership with a wider European commitment to the resilience and international integration of Ukrainian higher education.

“Our cooperation with PMBSNU is based on solidarity, but it goes well beyond solidarity. We are building a partnership around academic compatibility, common interests and concrete activities. Through FOREU4ALL we can see that European University Alliances have an important role to play in connecting Ukrainian universities more closely with the European higher education landscape. STARS EU wants to be among the alliances that translate this commitment into practical and sustainable cooperation.”

• Daniel Stavárek, STARS EU Steering Committee member and STARS EU representative in the FOREU4ALL Cooperation with Ukraine Topical Group

The signing in Bragança, therefore, represents not the beginning but the formalization of a partnership already taking shape. The Memorandum now provides a framework for expanding cooperation through research, education, mobility, international projects, and participation in the wider STARS EU community.

 Petro Mohyla Black Sea National University