17 May 2022 13:22

Zelensky asks U.S. academics to help restore schools and universities in Ukraine

KYIV. May 17 (Interfax-Ukraine) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has invited U.S. academics to join a program to rebuild schools and universities in Ukraine, the press service for Zelensky's Office said on Monday.

During an online meeting with the U.S. university community, Zelensky said that a large-scale plan is being worked out and its objectives include rebuilding schools, universities, institutes and other educational establishments.

"We will only be grateful to you if we have such projects for restoration at the level of ministries of education, at the level of educational programs, at the level of universities," the president said.

"When we talk about restoration, it is a question of not only money, but also of specialists. Because we can build an institution, a university, but it is very important that there are people who are carriers of knowledge and specialists. That is why, we are ready for such joint work and we will be very grateful if you help us develop new educational programs," Zelensky said.

The Ukraine recovery plan includes restoration programs for various fields of the economy and social life, he said.

Zelensky spoke online with students and leaders of major universities of the Association of American Universities. Representatives of around 50 universities, among them Yale University, Harvard University, Boston University, Duke University, Cornell University, and Brown University, took part in the online meeting, which was watched live by some 5,500 students in campuses, the press service said.