It has been nearly three years since Russia launched its full-scale military invasion of Ukraine. From the very beginning, the Vilnius Gediminas Technical University (VILNIUS TECH) community has stood in solidarity with Ukraine. Before Christmas, the university organized a charity initiative to support Kherson National Technical University (KNTU) by equipping a 100-square-meter shelter with modular furniture designed and produced by VILNIUS TECH in collaboration with UAB DUV. Thanks to the generosity of the university community, alumni, and business partners, around €25,000 was raised for this initiative.

Before the war, Kherson National Technical University was a modern and innovative educational institution, offering high-quality studies, state-of-the-art laboratories, co-working spaces, and computer labs with the latest technologies. Students not only studied there but also engaged in various extracurricular activities. However, after heavy shelling and occupation, much of it was destroyed.

Some of the university's professors and staff were relocated to a safer region in Khmelnytskyi, about 700 km away, where another university with similar study programs and laboratories welcomed them. However, some faculty members remained in Kherson, where the university continues to suffer damage from ongoing attacks, with broken windows and damaged roofs becoming a constant reality.

"When the city of Kherson was liberated in November 2022 and we were finally able to access the university buildings again, some furniture and equipment were quickly moved to the basement of one of the academic buildings. The city was still under constant shelling and drone attacks.

The basement became a minimal shelter for both university staff and local residents. More than half of the university’s buildings and dormitory windows were shattered by explosions and direct hits,"** shared Larissa Ponomenko, Head of the Education, Science, and International Relations Department at KNTU.

One of the university buildings had no shelter, so with VILNIUS TECH experts sharing their knowledge with business partners, the idea was born to create a fully equipped shelter with unique, easily assembled modular plywood furniture.

United by a common goal, university staff, students, alumni, and partners started raising funds in November 2024 to build the shelter at Kherson Technical University. Their mission to provide a safer space for Ukraine’s future generations has now become a reality. With the shelter now fully furnished, lecturers and students can continue their classes in safety while waiting for the danger to pass.

The modular furniture, designed by Assoc. Prof. Dr. L. Krūgelis, Head of the VILNIUS TECH Faculty of Architecture’s Design Department, was tailored specifically for the shelter space in Kherson. Chairs, tables, cabinets, and bunk beds have transformed the area into a more comfortable and welcoming environment, making it easier to restore a sense of normalcy and encourage students to return to their studies. Even in difficult times, a university remains a symbol of resilience, dedication to education, and hope for recovery.

"Our entire team in Kherson is deeply grateful for this generous gift from VILNIUS TECH," expressed Larissa Ponomenko.

Vytas Liudžius, director of UAB DUV and the designer of the furniture used in the shelter, stated that since the beginning of the war, his company—together with VILNIUS TECH researchers and business partners—has helped equip over 20 shelters and produced more than 6,000 pieces of furniture, valued at over €500,000.

These pieces can be found everywhere—from war zones to Kyiv, from mobile hospitals to military units. However, their primary focus now is supporting schools and universities.

"We want students—Ukraine’s future—to return to learning. But for that, shelters are essential. Without them, education cannot continue. We are happy that young people in Kherson now have a safe space where they can keep studying," said VILNIUS TECH alumnus Vytas Liudžius.

However, he urges people not to stop at this single initiative and to continue supporting Ukraine, as the country still needs help.

"We must not forget that there is a war happening in Europe. This is something we need to take seriously. We must keep donating, because the situation is fragile, and the danger is close. By helping Ukraine, we are not just supporting its people—we are protecting our own children and families, ensuring peace above our heads," emphasized the UAB DUV director.

A big thank you to everyone who contributed to making KNTU’s shelter a reality!

Join Us to Mark Three Years of War
On this occasion, we invite you to the VILNIUS TECH Faculty of Creative Industries (Trakų g. 1) for the opening of journalist Milda Matulaitytė-Feldhausen’s photography exhibition, "One Day in the Battalion," followed by her talk: "Ukraine: How Much Strength Is Left?"

Find more details here.