Janet Clark, Provost of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, Mykola Drach, Deputy Director of Zviahel Medical College, Mykola Borovets, Zviahel City Mayor

On August 30, the Zviahel Medical College of the Zhytomyr Oblast Council and St. Mary-of-the-Woods College, Terre Haute, Indiana, signed a Memorandum of Understanding.

The USAID HOVERLA Activity supported the educational institutions in establishing a partnership that will help improve knowledge, professional exchange, the exchange of best practices and experience, and the implementation of joint projects.

The signing of the memorandum was the result of fruitful work and negotiations between the colleges, which began last year.

“This is an extremely important partnertship that will open up new opportunities for us. I am deeply convinced that the partnership between the colleges will provide an impact not only on regional development, but also on the development of relations between Ukraine and the United States in general,” said Viktor Hradivsky, Deputy Head of the Zhytomyr Regional Education Administration.

“Since our teachers and students are working in a time of war, today our college has evolved from being just an educational institution. We now organize volunteer forums, provide psychological support, and, with the help of the US government, have implemented a project to provide first aid and emergency response. We are ready to share our practices, and at the same time, it is very important for us to learn from the experience of our American colleagues in rehabilitation and mental health support,” said Olena Solodovnyk, director of the Zviahel Medical College, in her welcoming remarks.

The partnership encompasses joint educational and research activities, training of healthcare professionals, and development of volunteerism. These efforts will improve the quality of education in the communities and promote the development of civil society.

“The USAID Hoverla Activity supports the establishment of direct connections and partnerships between communities, organizations, and educational institutions in the United States and Ukraine. It is important to us that these partnerships are meaningful and fruitful for both sides. Such connections not only mean a willingness to develop through the exchange of experience, knowledge, and ideas. It is also a manifestation of solidarity and support for Ukraine,” summarized Marjan Jukic, Deputy Chief of Party of the USAID Hoverla Activity.