On 17 June, just ahead of the ELIA Academy 2025 in Oslo, the UAx Platform hosted its fifth UAx Day at Kristiania University of Applied Sciences - a dedicated event that brought together 15 professionals from Ukrainian higher arts institutions and their European sister schools. 

 

The day focused on reflecting on the past two years of the UAx project and imagining its future. Uliana Furiv, UAx Platform Manager, and Yuliia Khmelyk, UAx Research Assistant, opened the day with a presentation on the project’s impact on students, mentors, and institutional partners in the last two years. Their insights offered a preview of the evaluation report Yuliia has been working on over the past six months. Initial findings highlight the success of the platform while pointing out areas for growth and development, an essential part of the project’s evolving journey. 

 

Looking ahead, Uliana also presented potential development pathways for the UAx Platform beyond 2025. Her inspiring presentation shared ideas on how both ELIA and programme participants can continue strengthening Ukrainian arts education during wartime and beyond. The day concluded with an ‘open space’ session moderated by Dr. Silke Lange (CSM), which encouraged participants to break into smaller groups and creatively explore questions about the project’s long-term impact. This participatory format provided a vibrant close to the day, making sure everyone had a voice in shaping what comes next. 

 

UAx Day highlighted the vital importance of community and the irreplaceable value of gathering face to face. For many Ukrainian colleagues working under challenging circumstances, moments of offline connection with partners and colleagues are not just meaningful but essential. In the face of war, these encounters become lifelines by restoring trust, building collaboration, and inspiring the resilience that fuels our academic and creative future.

Find out more about the UAx Platform>