High energy efficiency standards: UzhNU is undergoing a large-scale modernisation of its buildings under a project with NEFCO
Modern, comfortable and energy efficient - this is how UzhNU's academic buildings and dormitories are becoming. For several years now, the university has been implementing a joint international project with the support of the Nordic Environment Finance Corporation (NEFCO) to modernise the university buildings. Currently, the work is being carried out in the largest dormitory of the university, which is home to IDPs in addition to students. We talked directly about the project with the Rector of Uzhhorod National University Volodymyr Smolanka and the Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs Oleksandr Rohach.
- How long is the project, when did you start it, and when do you plan to finish it?
Volodymyr Smolanka, Rector of UzhNU:
- The project "Higher Education of Ukraine", initiated by the Ministry of Education and Science, the European Investment Bank and NEFCO, started in 2017. It took place in several stages. Uzhhorod National University was selected from among 130 universities and was among the leaders - 7 universities were selected, including UzhNU. This became possible thanks to the coordinated and effective work of the entire project implementation team from our university. The Higher Education of Ukraine project is co-financed by the Nordic Environment Finance Corporation (NEFCO) and the Eastern European Energy Efficiency and Environment Partnership Fund (E5P Fund).
Oleksandr Rohach, Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs of UzhNU:
- In accordance with the Finance Agreement concluded between Ukraine and the Nordic Environment Finance Corporation (NEFCO) No. NEFCO 14/16 of 19 December 2017 to finance the Higher Education of Ukraine project, the Ministry of Finance of Ukraine, the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine and Uzhhorod National University have concluded a Loan Fund Transfer Agreement No. 13110-05/75 of 04 March 2021. As part of the implementation of this subproject, the University held an open tender (according to NEFCO procurement procedures) and signed a contract with the main contractor, Riola-Module LTD, on 26 July 2021. Our project was scheduled to be completed in 2024.
- What kind of work do you plan to carry out under the grant? Has the large-scale invasion of Russia affected the project implementation?
Volodymyr Smolanka, Rector of UzhNU:
- The project was supposed to include the modernisation and energy efficiency measures of three buildings of the University: educational and laboratory buildings A, B, C and D (BAM) and Student Dormitory No. 4 for a total amount of UAH 153 million 749 thousand 396, of which UAH 25 million 624 thousand 899 was the contribution of UzhNU.
However, due to the full-scale invasion of Russia, the European partners suspended the project. To date, three higher education institutions in the western region - UzhNU, Lviv National University, and Vasyl Stefanyk Precarpathian National University - have received partial funding in the amount of 20% of the contract price. In this regard, UzhNU, after holding relevant negotiations with consultants and NEFCO management, decided to prioritise the implementation of the work on Student Dormitory No. 4.
Thus, despite the large-scale war, we are actively carrying out all the necessary work, and students will live in a modernised and energy-efficient building in the new academic year.
Oleksandr Rohach, Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs of UzhNU:
- "By the end of 2023, we plan to complete the following activities: thermal insulation of walls, replacement of windows, replacement of exterior doors, installation of an individual heating point, modernisation of the heating system, asbestos disposal, thermal insulation of the technical floor, restoration of parapets
However, today we have some good news: negotiations with the lenders have been completed, as a result of which NEFCO is financing the full scope of works on the building of Student Dormitory No. 4 (modernisation of the lighting system, renovation of all toilets and showers, kitchens, repair of the cold supply system, installation of an energy monitoring system), as well as partially planned energy modernisation of the educational and laboratory buildings A, B, C and D, which will make our BAM a modern, energy-efficient building.
