On 26 August 2025, the virtual Kick-off Meeting of the project RECLAIM – Resource Education Cooperation: Laboratory Advancement took place. The project is coordinated by TU Bergakademie Freiberg (Germany) in cooperation with the Dnipro University of Technology and the National V.N. Karazin Kharkiv University (Ukraine).

During the meeting, the project team introduced the objectives, activities, and timeline of RECLAIM. Special attention was given to the lab-twinning process, which will enable Ukrainian scientists and students to gain access to modern laboratory methods and to integrate them into their curricula. The kick-off also included presentations of the participating institutes, an overview of technical support provided by TUBAFdigital, a session on the financial aspects of RECLAIM, and a presentation of possible cooperation with LabsLand on virtual laboratory technologies. The meeting concluded with a Q&A session, which provided space for discussion and exchange among the partners.

RECLAIM aims to strengthen research and teaching capacities of Ukrainian universities, address the severe loss of laboratory infrastructure caused by the war, and contribute to the modernization of future laboratories. Over the coming four years, the project RECLAIM will develop digital teaching resources, joint courses, and exchange opportunities to support higher education in times of crisis and beyond.

We warmly thank all participants for their active engagement and look forward to the fruitful collaboration ahead.