Pioneering Ukraine partnership shortlisted for Times Higher Education award

Warwick Business School has been shortlisted for the International Collaboration of the Year at the Times Higher Education Awards 2026 for its partnership supporting Ukraine's long-term recovery from war.

Led by Associate Professor Bo Kelestyn, the Veteran Leadership Programme, a pioneering collaboration between WBS and Ukrainian civic organisation CHESNO Movement, recently welcomed its second cohort.

It supports Ukrainian war veterans as they transition from military service into civic, public and community leadership roles, helping to strengthen democratic institutions and long-term recovery efforts in Dr Kelestyn’s homeland.

Developed in partnership with Ukrainian organisations, 15 veterans were selected for this year’s programme from just under 350 applicants, and they focused on governance, innovation, public engagement and peer learning.

Dr Kelestyn, Academic Director of the programme, said: "This is so much more than just a week of learning on campus. What we have achieved through this international collaboration has been both measurable and felt, and I am so proud this has now been recognised through a THE Awards nomination.

"It is another testament to what our community, our campus and our staff can do when we work together.

"I'm so grateful for the co-creation and commitment from our partner CHESNO, and the veterans for their trust and feedback.

“Winning the award would mean so much for us and, crucially, would help secure further support and funding to continue the programme and keep standing with Ukraine in meaningful and tangible ways."

US universities inspired by Ukrainian veterans programme

Recognised among the International Renaissance Foundation's top 25 projects of 2025, the programme’s success has attracted international attention, with Harvard University consulting the Warwick team on similar initiatives and Yale University developing a comparable programme inspired by the WBS model.

This year’s participants WBS programme include Stanislav Ryzhenkov, defender of Mariupol, former prisoner of war, and Commissioner for War Veterans' Rights for Kyiv City Council; Andrii Pentsak, a former combat medic and evacuation paramedic, who has twice received Ukraine's Order For Courage; Anton Itkin, an economist and former IT leader who spent more than two years in Russian captivity; and Maryna Khromykh, a veteran, anti-corruption advocate and civil society leader focused on strengthening the representation of female veterans in public life.

More than 500 entries were received for the 22nd edition of the Times Higher Education Awards, with WBS one of 125 finalists that have been picked across 20 categories, representing all aspects of university activity.

Times Higher Education Editor Chris Havergal said: "These continue to be challenging times for our higher education sector, but that makes it only more important to celebrate the contribution of the teams and individuals who continue to transform lives for the better, week in, week out, across the UK and Ireland.

"To have again received more than 500 entries is a sure sign that our sectors' commitment to improving the societies they serve is undimmed, and we offer our sincere congratulations to all the institutions and individuals shortlisted. It is a huge achievement to have reached this stage in another very competitive year."

Discover Warwick Business School's Change Makers.