The Triple E Awards is a global recognition of efforts to advance entrepreneurship and engagement in higher education. This is the first award to specifically focus on different aspects of the third mission of Universities and aims to promote changes in Universities and highlight their role in local communities and ecosystems.
Competitions were held in four world regions (America, Europe, Africa, Asia-Pacific region). For the first time, Ukrainian higher education institutions took part in the competition, where a separate category “Initiative to involve Ukrainian society” was opened.
Among the winners are:
The Donetsk State University of Internal Affairs – with the submitted initiative “Friendly Support”. The project is aimed at providing support and assistance to those who need it (defenders of Ukraine, families of the perished (those who died), wounded policemen, National Guardsmen, border guards, rescuers, the military personnel, released from captivity and their family members, children and adults with special needs), as well as equal access to comprehensive development and self-realization, promoting preservation and restoration of historical and cultural heritage and natural environment. Within the scope of the project, higher education seekers join volunteer initiatives, activities for physical rehabilitation of wounded servicemen and provide them with psychological support.
The Sumy National Agrarian University – with the submitted initiative “Training experts on soil assessment and restoration of the territories damaged as a result of hostilities”. The project is implemented jointly with The Royal Agricultural University. Training experts on soil assessment and reclamation of the territories damaged by hostilities, conducted by the Sumy National Agrarian University (Ukraine) and the Royal Agrarian University (Great Britain) demonstrates international cooperation in environmental restoration. This six-week program offers hands-on experience in soil sampling, contaminant analysis, and advanced GIS supported by aerial photography and remote sensing. By giving priority to war veterans and ATO participants, the program provides valuable skills for future employment. By implementing innovative methods such as bioremediation and UAV-based data collection, the participants are making direct contribution to the recovery of the conflict-affected areas. Under the expert guidance of renowned professors and industry leaders from Ukraine, England and Switzerland, this initiative trains professionals to combat soil degradation, promoting global unity and scientific progress in environmental restoration.
The Melitopol State Pedagogical University named after Bohdan Khmelnytskyi – with the project “The University supporting social cohesion of the community in a crisis situation”. Despite functioning in war conditions and relocation, the University organizes meetings with the representatives of the city authorities, public organizations and social institutions, participates in and provides scientific support for joint projects aimed at attracting young people, educational initiatives, national-cultural societies, integration of displaced persons into local territorial communities, mental and physical health support. Its systemic and multi-vector activity allows to create strong social ties, raise awareness, promote social cohesion and public activity.
The Vinnytsia National Medical University named after Pyrohov (VNMU) – with the project “All about allergies: knowledge and preventing allergies in the changing world”. Due to the public demand for information about allergies, since about 30% of the population of Ukraine suffers from this disease, the project turned into a comprehensive web portal. As of 2018, the All-About-Allergy website has attracted 5 million users from 104 countries, with significant participation from Ukraine, Kazakhstan and Poland. Addressing new challenges, such as pollen allergy among military personnel, the VNMU has developed a special prognostic module to assess the risks of pollen allergy in Ukraine. The initiative involves a variety of stakeholders, including physicians, patients and healthcare professionals. It is recognized by Deputy Minister of Health – chief sanitary doctor Ihor Kuzin. Beside, experts from VNMU and eight other medical institutions of Ukraine ensure the reliability and relevance of information. Thus, the VNMU initiative “All About Allergy” stands out for its broad community involvement, innovative approaches, and significant impact on public health.
The Lviv National University named after I. Franko presented its project “Supporting sustainability of communities through involvement of the Universities in the time of war”, which was coordinated by the University Center for Social Development and Community Initiatives. Since the war beginning on February 22, 2024, the National University of Lviv named after Ivan Franko, like the city of Lviv itself, has quickly turned into a humanitarian hub. In response to challenges and needs, on April 1, 2022, the University created a new structural unit – the Center for Social Development and Community Initiatives. In its work, the Center uses a model of comprehensive assistance for war victims, which is based on the “single window” principle. This model is aimed at supporting veterans and military personnel in their return to civil life (professional development, employment assistance, opening their own business, psychological and legal support, support of family members, assistance in community integration). The center provides assistance to internally displaced persons, paying special attention to their integration into new communities, and serves as a basis for training the University staffers to deal with the consequences of war.
This year awarding ceremony for winners from Europe and Africa was held in Lisbon(Portugal) at the Universidade Nova de Lisboa on September, 18-20, 2024.
The award ceremony was attended by the representatives of Ukrainian higher education institutions – winners of the competition and participants of the UNICOM project, headed by the project manager Diana Spubler (the University of Genoa, Italy).
Enhancing the third mission of Universities together!
