Reunite

REbuilding Ukraine’s National Independence Through Education

REUNITE is a functioning collaborative formed at the intersection of academia, the public sector, and the private sector with the overarching goal of addressing the post-war Ukraine rebuilding activities through mutually beneficial activities with champions embracing education, government, and corporate perspectives.

Capitalizing on our combined strengths and resources, REUNITE members have come together to focus on the comprehensive improvement of the design and construction industries through successful development and delivery of university-level degree programs, professional development programs, community outreach, and engagement activities. This human capital development project seeks to create aligned programs for schools, universities, businesses, and government agencies, promoting knowledge transfer for future Ukrainian generations.

This initiative began with the creation of Rebuilding Ukraine Association Incorporated (RUAI), a nonprofit 501(c) 3, which was organized to provide technical assistance training to support the development of new building materials production facilities to provide necessary materials to repair the war damage from the Russian invasion. 

REUNITE will impact the development of government officials, engineers, architects, construction managers to plan, design, and construct of all types of buildings and infrastructure utilizing the newest products, latest smart and green technologies, and building methods. In addition, REUNITE will include public agencies and their employees to identify and implement best practices to ensure effective municipal level checks and balances throughout the industry, utilizing relevant performance metrics and data driven decisions.

REUNITE is an inclusive and impartial convener of academic, industry, and government stakeholders who formulate educational opportunities and applied research. The goal is to develop solutions on a national and even regional scale in the design and construction industry.

For more information, please contact: Thomas Lang, REUNITE@REBUKR.COM

In Warsaw Poland on February 15th, 2023 a Memoradum Of Understanding was signed outlining the goals of the REUNITE initiative. Click here to see the MOU.

REUNITE – Collaboration Partners

Non Profit

• Rebuilding Ukraine Association Incorperated

Academia

• University of Florida ME Rinker, Sr. School of Construction
• Kyiv National University of Architecture and Construction
• Lviv Polytechnic National University
• Kharkiv National Automobile and Highway University

Goverment

• Ukraine Ministry of Education

Industry

• Confederation of Builders of Ukraine
• Rebuilding Ukraine Agency
• Kurylowicz & Associates

Executive Summary

Background:

Rebuilding Ukraine Association Incorporated (RUAI), a nonprofit 501(c)3, was organized to provide technical assistance training to support the development of new building materials production facilities that will be used to repair the war damage from the Russian invasion. Targeted funding will come in the form of contributions and grants of goods and services from individuals, corporations, the US Government, International Funding Agencies.

In the initial phase, RUAI will evaluate, educate, supply and train engineers, architects, construction managers and employees of the national and regional governments and businesses of Ukraine. RUAI will assist in planning and designing the construction of housing, agricultural buildings, hospitals, schools, commercial and industrial buildings, and infrastructure with the most modern and advanced products and building methods.

This human capital development project seeks to create programs for schools, universities, and businesses so that knowledge and know-how is transferred to Ukrainians for future generations.

To accomplish the project, RUAI is in partnering discussions with two organizations.

1. The M. E. Rinker, Sr. School of Construction Management at the University of Florida. RUAI has met with the leadership of the school and is certain they have the expertise, knowledge and know how that RUAI is seeking to transfer to Ukrainian strategic partners.
   
   
2. The Confederation of Builders of Ukraine. The Confederation has ongoing relationships with national and regional construction governing ministries and private industry stakeholders. They will assist RUAI in identifying and bringing together the ideal set of Ukrainian education and training project stakeholders in government, academia, and Industry.
   
   

Education and training project:

The focus of the project will be to support Ukraine’s mandate to rebuild using the latest smart and green technologies. RUAI will team with other stakeholders, both private and public, to assist Ukraine in the education and professional development of Government Officials, Construction Mangers, Engineers, Architects, Designers, and other built environment professionals in the most modern methods of Construction Technology in the redevelopment effort.

At the same time, multiple buildings, and infrastructure such as bridges, roadways, rail stations and power plants destroyed by the war should be rebuilt in accordance with the best practices of sustainability and resilience. Due to demographic and economic shifts taking place in the Ukrainian economy, significant planning will be required from city and urban planners.

Significant sources of funds for rebuilding are forthcoming from the international community, which will require any funded projects to meet stringent reporting standards through pre-determined, detailed metrics and assessment methods. Designing and developing educational programs for existing Ukrainian companies and industry professionals to meet these standards will be one of RUAI’s initial priorities.

In addition to the many men that have served in the defense of their nation, so have many women. Ukrainian women will be instrumental in the reconstruction process. RUAI programs will be open to anyone that wants to be educated and trained in the latest construction management, law, engineering, and related fields.

Education Programs that will be considered:

Project steps

1. Evaluate:
   • The present level of industry expertise and availability of potential candidates for becoming collaborative partners in this endeavor.
   • Assess existing skills gaps in the construction industry
   • Review critical infrastructure construction needs of Ukraine.
     
2. Develop education and training programs working with strategic partners to fill in the gaps for existing and future construction managers, developers, engineers, and designers to meet the current and future needs,
   
3. Near Term – Develop and offer for online education and training programs.
   
4. Mid and Long term – Provide in-person education and training programs in a secure location, yet to be determined. To this point RUAI may look to neighboring countries for potential sites.
   • Programs established thru the Ukrainian University system, local trade unions and businesses.
   • Potential to set up education and training centers around the country in the regional construction material manufacturing industrial parks that are being planned throughout the Ukraine.