Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) has joined with ACI Worldwide to provide recycled laptops to the Ukraine’s O.M. Beketov National University of Urban Economy in Kharkiv (O.M. Beketov NUUEK), a university that twinned with TUS earlier this year.
In March the two universities signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which solidified the work undertaken by both universities to build a long-term relationship, identify ways that TUS can continue to support the Kharkiv university and provide a framework for further academic collaborations.
As part of the supports offered to O.M. Beketov NUUEK, TUS IT Department is currently housing a server for the most war damaged university in Kharkiv.
Developing that project further TUS has also begun sending recycled laptops to O.M. Beketov NUUEK with the support of locally based businesses such as ACI Worldwide. ACI Worldwide is a global leader in mission-critical, real-time payments software with its EMEA headquarters based in the National Technology Park in Limerick. The company donated 20 laptops last week, with a commitment to providing more via TUS in the future.
Accepting the laptop donation Alan Barry, IT Manager TUS Midwest, said “TUS is a regional university that works in collaboration with both industry and our communities to provide sustainable change through education and research that transforms lives, our region and the world beyond. This project encompasses that vision as we work together with industries here in the Mid West to repurpose laptops for use by our colleagues and the students of O.M. Beketov NUUEK in the Ukraine, ensuring the continuous access to education by a generation of Ukrainian students.”
Peter Guerin, Senior Manager Software Engineering ACI Worldwide said the company was delighted that the donated laptops could be recycled for use by students and staff in the Kharkiv University, and encouraged other companies to get involved in the project with TUS, adding, “We are delighted to be part of this partnership and I would encourage more companies to partake.”
O.M. Beketov National University of Urban Economy in Kharkiv has a student population of over 8,000 with 2,500 more students attending the university’s colleges. The duration of the MoU signed with TUS is for a period of five years.
If any company would like to donate laptops to the project please contact TUS IT Department for more details.