Professor Mykhaylo Korda, Rector of the I. Horbachevsky Ternopil State Medical University provided an overview the current reform processes of the Ukrainian health care system. Professor Korda and his university maintain a long-standing cooperation with Professor Timo Ulrichs and his team in the area of public health, which is an emerging field in Ukraine. This summer a group of researchers and students of the Akkon University, led by Ms Gaby Feldmann, will visit Ternopil and take part in a summer school in Ternopil. Future plans include discussions on developing a joint Master’s programme in public health.
Significantly, this symposium also marked the foundation of “The Institute for Research in International Assistance – IRIA” at the Akkon University. With this new research institute the Akkon University responds to the increasing demand for qualified and scientifically founded know-how in crisis management and humanitarian aid worldwide. IRIA is envisioned as a platform for discussion and an active contributor to the political and social discourse. Its research will focus mainly on health in developing and emerging countries, the analysis and development of health systems and global health security. In addition, migration and flight, and humanitarian crises will also be studied.