Ukraine’s gas sector needs a new generation of specialists capable of working with modern subsurface technologies. UGV identified a strategic need for advanced competencies in well logging, petrophysics and applied geoscience to strengthen operational resilience and support the country’s long-term energy security.

EBRD responded by commissioning CCG to coordinate the full development cycle of a new academic programme that would equip both new engineers and existing UGV staff with these high-demand skills. Taras Shevchenko Kyiv National University (TSKNU) became the project’s local educational partner.

Our Role

CCG coordinated the engagement between UGV, EBRD and TSKNU, ensuring alignment of objectives, timelines and technical requirements. Originally envisaged as a programme in Subsurface Energy Systems, the initiative evolved after changes in UGV’s priorities and staffing. CCG reviewed the revised needs, clarified expectations, and supported all sides in redefining the programme as Well Logging and Petrophysics, a specialisation more closely matched to UGV’s updated strategic direction.

Throughout the project, CCG ensured continuity despite shifting personnel on the client side, stabilising communication and helping both UGV and TSKNU make decisions quickly and confidently. Communication with UGV was consistently efficient and constructive; even as internal teams changed, the company remained fully committed to progressing the work and providing timely inputs. This steady cooperation was essential to maintaining momentum under challenging circumstances.

A key highlight of the project was the exceptional performance of TSKNU. From the first formal communication with UGV to full programme development, validation, approval and launch, the university delivered the entire process in under five months. Completing a full Master’s-level programme cycle in such a short timeframe, under wartime conditions, demonstrates remarkable institutional commitment and capability.

Impact

The Master’s programme Well logging and Petrophysics was officially launched for the 2025/2026 academic year. It completed all quality assurance procedures, enrolled its first student cohort and integrated plans for international mobility for teaching staff.

The programme now forms a sustainable and nationally significant pathway for developing high-demand technical skills in Ukraine’s energy sector. It gives UGV a reliable mechanism for retraining staff, attracting new talent and strengthening professional capacity at a time when human capital development is essential for Ukraine’s reconstruction.

The project also demonstrates that, even during war and organisational change, well-structured cooperation between an international financial institution, a national employer and a Ukrainian university can deliver rapid, high-quality results. UGV’s steady engagement and responsiveness throughout the process played a central role in ensuring the programme was shaped according to real operational needs.

CCG will continue to monitor the programme’s progress and share periodic updates with EBRD, ensuring long-term oversight of outcomes, enrolments and sustainability.

In 2021, Abertay University formed a pioneering partnership with the Bucharest International School of Management (BISM), supported by CCG. This collaboration marked a significant milestone as Abertay's Business School became the first in the UK to launch undergraduate degree programmes in Romania.

Prior to the partnership, BISM had exclusively offered postgraduate professional programmes. Through this collaboration, they expanded their academic portfolio to include undergraduate degrees. The suite of new programmes includes BA (Hons) Business Management, BA (Hons) Digital Marketing with Business Management, and BA (Hons) Accounting and Finance with Business Analytics. These courses are delivered in English and provide students with the opportunity to engage in real-world business projects alongside their academic studies.

The programme launched with an initial intake of around a dozen students, and has seen consistent growth, with enrolments doubling each year. The first cohort is set to graduate this year, marking a major milestone in the partnership's success.

In 2024 BISM joined with games studio Amber to create the Echo School of Technology, Digital Arts and Video Games who delivery Abertay degrees in Computer Arts and Games

Building on this momentum, Abertay and BISM are now expanding their collaboration further. New pathways in 'Events Management' have been added to the marketing and business programmes for 2025. Plans are underway to introduce an MSc in International Management, as well as to explore new joint initiatives in the fields of Computing and Cybersecurity.

The success of the partnership has not gone unnoticed. Abertay University and BISM were recognised as finalists in the Partnership category at the Herald Education Awards, reflecting the impact and innovation of this international academic collaboration.

Cormack Consultancy Group (CCG) has supported the partnership between Birkbeck, University of London, and Ecole Supérieure de Technologie et de Management (ESTM) in Senegal. This collaboration advances international cooperation and academic excellence.

The partnership will enhance student and faculty mobility, enabling innovative initiatives and promoting global skills development as both institutions grow and develop.

Cormack Consultancy Group (CCG) has supported the partnership between the University of the West of England, Bristol, and Presidency University Bangalore. This collaboration paves the way for enhanced student exchange programmes and master’s progression pathways.

Through this equitable and impactful partnership, students will gain international exposure, explore global opportunities, and advance their academic and professional aspirations.

Cormack Consultancy Group (CCG) has supported the partnership between the University of Leicester, UK, and PCET's S.B. Patil Institute of Management. This collaboration creates exciting opportunities for student exchange, international exposure, and joint research projects.

Through this dynamic alliance, students will enhance their academic journeys and professional prospects, benefiting from a globally connected educational experience.

Cormack Consultancy Group (CCG) has facilitated the partnership between Charles Sturt University, Australia, and Lovely Professional University, India. This collaboration promotes equitable transnational education, creating opportunities for students and universities to thrive in a global academic landscape.

This partnership marks the beginning of a journey toward a more inclusive and dynamic future in higher education, fostering growth and international collaboration.

Cormack Consultancy Group (CCG) has supported the successful partnership between Simon Kuznets Kharkiv National University of Economics and Abertay University through the Twinning Initiative. This collaboration has led to the development and implementation of a double degree programme, ‘MBA: Organisational Transformations.’

This programme represents a significant step in advancing educational opportunities and fostering international collaboration

Cormack Consultancy Group (CCG) has supported the partnership between Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute and The University of Sheffield through the Twinning Initiative. This collaboration has been a milestone in advancing education and scientific development in Ukrainian Higher Education.

Together, both institutions are developing a long-term strategic plan, demonstrating the impactful results of international partnerships. We’re proud to support this inspiring initiative and look forward to continued progress and innovation.

Cormack Consultancy Group (CCG) has supported the partnering of The Royal Agricultural University with the Uzbekistan Ministry of Agriculture to launch the International Agriculture University (IAU) in Tashkent. The new International Agriculture University aims to lead the reform of higher education in agriculture in Uzbekistan and secure international recognition for agriculture’s role in Uzbekistan's transitional economy and society.

The partnership will give IAU students an equivalent educational experience to that of students at the RAU, with IAU students accessing a blend of face to face and online lectures and resources, by franchising some of the RAU’s existing degree programmes, and developing new degrees and modules to suit Uzbekistan’s conditions and its international trade ambitions as the new university grows and develops.

There is a significant capacity shortage in the state university system, and the private sector has been mandated to help address the issue. As a result, the government has initiated the creation of 35 new private universities, to be established by 2030.

Cormack Consultancy Group (CCG) has been involved in the launch of 2 new Private Universities over the last 12 months. UK Universities have franchised their content to the local institutions for the delivery by local staff.

Cormack Consultancy Group (CCG) has run the whole process of establishing a strategic partnership with a UK university that would encompass the delivery of Double Degrees, Research Partnership, Staff and Student Mobility, Capacity Building, and accelerating the transformation of the Latvian partners. TSI (Riga) and UWE (Bristol) have validated 2 Master’s Double Degrees and 1 Bachelor’s double degree and have secured EU funding for supporting the mobility of UWE and TSI students to engage in a range of innovation-based projects.

The project was initiated by the Latvian Ministry of Economy in collaboration with Accenture. Its aim was to attract 3,000 international students per year to Latvia to study Computer Science, with the goal that they would remain in the region to live and work.

Cormack Consultancy Group (CCG) was asked to develop a model based on partnerships between local and international universities. According to this model, students would be able to study in Latvia and earn both local and UK/US degrees. Notably, the UK/US degree would come at a significantly lower cost than studying directly in the UK or US. The outcome of the project was the creation of five strategic partnerships and the launch of the first double degree programmes.

Cormack Consultancy Group (CCG) has been asked by a leading Romanian Educational NGO and the major Private Health Provider to support them in the development of a new Nursing University. 

Within the project, CCG initiated a selection process at a result of which we identified one university (Coventry University) that was able to work with a local team on the establishment of a new school. The UK university was also engaged in the team recruitment and local staff upskilling. The first degree cycle programme was agreed to be taught by both UK and Romanian academic staff. Upon the completion of studies, students obtained a UK degree.