A Ukrainian academic recently completed a two-month academic visit to the School of Allied Health Professions and Nursing, resulting in a highly rewarding experience for both parties.
Professor Yurii Ataman, Physiotherapy and Sports Medicine Lead at Sumy State University, collaborated with members of the School’s Physiotherapy department over an eight-week period from September to November.
The University of Liverpool is actively supporting Ukrainian education through academic cooperation, exchange programmes, and by providing access to resources for students and teaching staff.
Continuing educational training amid conflict poses significant challenges, particularly in border regions such as Sumy. However, training physiotherapy students remains critical due to their essential role in rehabilitating injured military personnel and civilians.
Adding to these challenges, Ukrainian universities only began training physiotherapists in 2017. This visit offered an invaluable opportunity to enhance understanding of clinical treatment approaches and evidence-based teaching.
The visit was organized by Simon Curran, Professional Lead of Physiotherapy, who arranged for Yurii to participate in teaching sessions, data collection, research seminars, webinars, simulated teaching, meetings with staff, and visits to practice placement sites.
An increased understanding of best practices for teaching evidence-based rehabilitation methods was especially beneficial, as these could be implemented in Ukraine without requiring significant infrastructure changes.
The visit also enabled research projects to recommence, activities that had practically ceased given the change of priorities due to the realities of war with students and staff from both institutions collaborating, thus reinforcing research-connected teaching throughout the programmes at Liverpool whilst supporting their own professional development.
Simon explained: “This collaboration began as a gesture of support to an invaded country and to shape global physiotherapy education. Our staff and students have also benefited through expanded cultural awareness and involvement in novel projects."
Future plans include joint lectures, seminars, and training on physical rehabilitation related to modern combat injuries, as well as additional research projects that will engage both students and staff and integrate into specific modules.
He added, “Professor Ataman and I have developed a personal and professional relationship that we look forward to growing, which will benefit not only our development as educators but also our institutions and stakeholders.”