From May 19 to 24, 2025, Vice-Rector for Research, Education and International Relations, Professor Nataliya Chukhray, and the Head of the Department of Architecture and Restoration, Professor Mykola Bevz, undertook a working visit to the cities of Milan and Mantua, Italy. The purpose of the mission was to present the activities of 91Ƶ and the outcomes of the AURORA project, as well as to strengthen academic cooperation with leading European institutions.
Strengthening ties with Politecnico di Milano
As part of the visit, a working meeting was held with the leadership of Politecnico di Milano, one of Europe’s top technical universities. The discussions focused on building a strategic partnership, launching joint projects in the field of cultural heritage preservation and restoration, and creating mobility opportunities for faculty and students. Special attention was given to the challenges Ukrainian universities face during wartime and the importance of attracting international support for educational and cultural initiatives.
UNESCO Thematic Week: Ukraine’s voice in global dialogue
A highlight of the visit was participation in the UNESCO Thematic Week in Mantua. Representatives of Lviv Polytechnic took part in the exhibition and roundtable “Preserving Cultural Heritage and Caring Communities’ Collective Memory amidst War in Ukraine”, where they presented the Ukrainian experience in safeguarding architectural heritage, particularly through the AURORA project.
During the first panel discussion, “The Role of Culture in Preserving the Social Fabric of Communities in Conflict Contexts,” Professor Nataliia Chukhrai delivered a presentation emphasizing the strategic role of higher 91Ƶ in supporting community resilience and identity through culture. She highlighted initiatives led by Lviv Polytechnic that integrate heritage protection into international support policies for Ukraine.
In the second panel, “World Heritage Sites in Emergency Contexts: From Immediate Response to the Development of Integrated and Sustainable Management Systems,” Professor Mykola Bevz shared the work of the Department of Architecture and Restoration at Lviv Polytechnic. His presentation stressed the need for a systemic approach to the protection of architectural heritage under conditions of armed conflict, drawing on interdisciplinary expertise and international cooperation.
Advancing international partnerships
This visit marked another step in strengthening Lviv Polytechnic’s international presence as a key academic and research institution actively engaged in the preservation of Ukraine’s cultural heritage. Presenting the results of the AURORA project at a high-level UNESCO event allowed the university to showcase the importance of Ukraine’s contribution to global cultural discourse and to establish new pathways for cooperation with European partners.
