The project RECLAIM (Resource Education Cooperation: Laboratory Advancement) builds on established partnerships between TU Bergakademie Freiberg (TUBAF) and Ukrainian universities to strengthen research and teaching capacities in times of crisis and addresses the severe loss of laboratory infrastructure in Ukraine caused by the ongoing war.

The project combines physical mobility of Ukrainian scientists and students to TUBAF laboratories with virtual exchange and teaching formats. During on-site stays, partners will co-develop laboratory experiments, film them for virtual use, and design study modules adaptable for both digital and in-person teaching. At least 20 courses will be mutually recognized and available to students at all partner universities.

A “Lab-Twinning” model will pair laboratories from both countries, facilitating method training, curriculum development, and mutual expertise exchange. In addition, Ukrainian students will participate in selected mobilities, bringing their perspectives into course design and testing.

RECLAIM directly addresses the urgent educational needs in Ukraine while laying the groundwork for sustainable academic collaboration. By ensuring continued access to laboratory education and modern research methods, the project strengthens Ukraine’s higher education sector, supports the prevention of brain drain, and enhances integration into international research networks.

• Provide access to modern laboratory facilities at TUBAF for Ukrainian scientists and students.
• Transfer advanced laboratory methods through joint training and the development of high-quality digital teaching materials.
• Integrate newly acquired methods into Ukrainian curricula, ensuring mutual recognition of courses with ECTS credits.
• Bridge gaps in laboratory teaching via virtual formats until local infrastructure is restored.
• Foster long-term academic cooperation in research, publications, and joint educational programs.