Ministry of Digital Transformation begins cooperation with partners to advance digital governance, education and innovative research

Ministry of Digital Transformation has signed a memorandum of cooperation with University College London (UCL) – one of the world’s leading universities in technology and innovation. Through joint scientific research, innovation activities, and knowledge exchange, we will support Ukraine’s digital transformation and economic recovery.

The partnership aligns the ambitious WINWIN Strategy for Digital Development and Innovation of Ukraine until 2030 with UCL’s Grand Challenges programme, starting with the theme “Data-Empowered Societies” – societies that harness the power of data.

The goal of the cooperation is to combine Ministry of Digital Transformation’s expertise with UCL’s academic potential to develop innovative public solutions, new educational programmes, and joint research in digital governance, data management, and artificial intelligence.

“Cooperation with University College London opens a new phase of collaboration between science, the state, and technology. We are combining academic knowledge with a strategic vision for innovation to enhance the role of data in public administration and make processes more efficient. Ukraine has already demonstrated its ability to implement innovations even under challenging conditions – now we are reaching the global level. This partnership creates new opportunities for Ukrainian researchers, specialists, and startups,” emphasised Oleksandr Bornyakov, Deputy Minister of Digital Transformation for European Integration.

The interaction between Ministry of Digital Transformation and UCL will serve as a platform for implementing joint research, educational, and technological initiatives under the WINWIN Strategy and UCL’s global Grand Challenge of Data-Empowered Societies programme.

“Through the WINWIN Strategy, innovation for Ukraine is becoming not just a policy but a national idea and a driving force for resilience, recovery, and growth. The Strategy positions Ukraine as a centre of innovation and collaboration, where the state, science, and business jointly create solutions with global impact. Our partnership with University College London strengthens this mission by linking Ukraine’s innovation ecosystem with the global scientific community and innovative thinking – so that data, knowledge, and technology truly serve people and strengthen societies,” noted Valeriya Ionan, Advisor to the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Transformation of Ukraine on Innovation, Digitalisation, and Global Partnerships.

Ukraine’s WINWIN Strategy, implemented by the Ministry of Digital Transformation, aims to transform the country into a regional innovation hub across fourteen priority sectors.

It focuses on opening markets, developing innovation infrastructure, strengthening human capital, and deepening international cooperation.

Professor Geraint Rees, UCL Vice-Provost for Research, Innovation and Global Engagement, stated that the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine was pursuing an ambitious strategy to position the country as a global leader in technology and innovation, and that UCL was proud to support this vision. He expressed hope that, by building on the many points of alignment between the WINWIN Strategy and UCL’s Data-Empowered Societies focus, the partnership would open new avenues for collaboration that could contribute meaningfully to Ukraine’s recovery while furthering shared commitment to ensuring data and technology serve people and strengthen communities.

At the outset, the partnership with UCL will focus on several interconnected areas jointly defined by UCL and the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine. These include developing technologies for public administration and the judicial system, working with data and artificial intelligence, creating sovereign language models, as well as education and educational technologies.

The UCL Grand Challenge of Data-Empowered Societies, launched in October 2024, aims to stimulate innovations that help people and communities, protect privacy, and promote equality. The programme brings together experts from various fields to ensure data and technology work for society’s benefit – ethically, fairly, and with human values in mind.