KhNU–LMU BioBridge Project

V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University is expanding its cooperation with German partners.
Since 2022, the School of Biology of V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University has been developing collaboration with research and educational institutions of the Federal Republic of Germany.

At present, a significant number of first-, second- and third-year Bachelor’s students of the School of Biology study in a blended format in Munich, based at Gesellschaft für Integration und Kultur in Europa e.V. (GIK e.V.).

During each semester, Karazin University students travel to Munich several times from various EU countries to complete on-site practical and laboratory classes in key academic disciplines.

Cell Biology Classes

First-year students of the School of Biology had the opportunity to take practical classes in Cell Biology at Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich.
The classes were conducted by Eleonora S. Pustovalova, Senior Lecturer at the Department of Genetics and Cytology.

Students learned to work with light, fluorescence, and confocal microscopes. They independently prepared specimens, stained them with various dyes, and learned to distinguish the components of plant and animal cells. In addition, students were able to observe different stages of cell division in fungi, such as yeast.

We express our sincere gratitude for the organisation and cooperation to Professor Dr Anton Syrota and Dr Hartmann Hartz (LMU), as well as to the Municipal Cultural Centre.

A New Stage of the Project

In 2025, the project entered a new stage of development.
In June 2025, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich received grant support from the DAAD for the KhNU–LMU BioBridge Programme, which will run until 2029.

The programme is aimed at supporting education and academic training of students, lecturers, and researchers of the Faculty of Biology of Karazin University, creating joint courses, and fostering the integration of biological education in Ukraine and Germany.

The programme commenced on 1 July 2025 and provides for:

• completion by students of practical and laboratory components of curriculum courses at LMU;

• preparation of Bachelor’s and Master’s qualification theses using LMU facilities and infrastructure;

• academic internships for lecturers of the Faculty of Biology of Karazin University, improvement of curricula, and alignment with European standards;

• research internships for academic staff;

• summer schools, seminars, and workshops for students of Karazin University and LMU;

• initiatives aimed at strengthening ties between Ukrainian and German students.

We are sincerely grateful to our colleagues for the opportunities provided.
We believe that the KhNU–LMU BioBridge Project is yet another compelling reason for Ukrainian secondary school graduates to choose studies at Karazin University.