Karazin University and Summit International Institute (Burundi) Agree on a Plan for Joint Educational and Grant Projects

On September 22, 2026, a working meeting was held between representatives of V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University and Summit International Institute (Republic of Burundi). The parties discussed the practical implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding and agreed on specific steps in four key areas of cooperation.

Summit International Institute is a private higher education institution located in Bujumbura, Burundi. The university was officially registered and accredited in 2017. It has its main campus in Burundi, a branch in Bukavu (Democratic Republic of the Congo), and a representative office at the international coordination office in Kobe, Japan.

1. Joint Courses and Certificate Programs

Swahili Language Studies

The parties agreed to launch a joint certificate program in Swahili language studies. The program will be approved by the University Academic Council, and upon completion, participants will receive a joint certificate from Karazin University and SII.

As of today, 405 people have already expressed interest in studying Swahili.

Those responsible for this area are Svitlana Virotchenko, Dean of the School of Foreign Languages, and Olha Matviichuk, Director of the International Center for Language Training and Certification.

Trauma Psychology and Recovery in Conflict Settings

The educational program is being developed by a joint team consisting of Karazin University specialists in war-related and psychological trauma and SII specialists in ethnic conflicts and the experience of Burundi.

The program will be delivered in a hybrid format: online classes and in-person meetings in safe classrooms in Africa. Ukrainian students will participate remotely, while SII students will attend classes in person.

The program will run for one year. It will be approved by the University Academic Council, and upon completion, participants will receive a joint certificate from Karazin University and SII.

A group of 30 participants is planned.

Those responsible are Pavlo Sevostianov, Dean of the School of Psychology, and Liliia Zotova, Academic Secretary of the Academic Council of the School of Psychology.

2. Double-Degree Programs

Disaster and Post-Conflict Recovery Management

Karazin University will provide theoretical training in post-war recovery, while SII will provide practical training in the resilience of local communities.

Those responsible are Vitalii Diachenko, Dean of the School of Economics, and Tetiana Stetsenko, Deputy Dean for International Cooperation. The program is scheduled to launch on September 1, 2027.

Hospitality and Tourism

Those responsible are Mykola Pysarevskyi, Director of the Education and Research Institute “Karazin Institute of International Relations and Tourism Business,” and Polina Podlepina, Deputy Director for International Affairs.

The launch is also planned for September 1, 2027.

3. Sponsorship Projects for University Recovery

The parties are working on joint sponsorship projects aimed at the recovery and development of Karazin University. Preparatory work on the relevant proposals is currently underway.

Those responsible are Hlib Rybalko, Director of the V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University Foundation, and Olha Shchetinska, Director of the Innovation Center of the Research and Development Department.

4. Training “Fundraising and Grant Management”

A three-day training seminar using AI tools is planned. Following the training, participants will develop sponsorship projects for the reconstruction and development of the university.

Those responsible are Yevhen Meniailov, Dean of the School of Mathematics and Informatics, and Olha Shchetinska, Director of the Innovation Center of the Research and Development Department.

A group of 20 university faculty members and staff is currently being formed.

The parties agreed to continue their work in all areas. In the near future, the certificate programs will be approved by the University Academic Council, working groups will be formed, and preparations will begin for the launch of joint double-degree programs.

Cooperation with Summit International Institute is an important component of Karazin University’s internationalization strategy and opens up new opportunities for students, faculty members, and researchers.