UNICOM Center for Public Health Established at VNMU

                                                      

On April 24, 2025, by decision of the Academic Council of Vinnytsia National Medical University named after M.I. Pirogov, the UNICOM Center — a new structural unit within the Institute of Public Health, Biology, Disease Control and Prevention — was officially established.

Alongside this decision, the Academic Council also approved the official document titled “Regulations on the Center for Community Cooperation at Vinnytsia National Medical University named after M.I. Pirogov (UNICOM Center),” which outlines the operational framework of the new unit.

The center’s creation is the result of the successful implementation of the international ERASMUS+ KA2 project "Universities–Communities: Strengthening Cooperation" (UNICOM), in which VNMU has participated since February 2023, along with 22 other Ukrainian and European universities and the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine.

The UNICOM Center is dedicated to fulfilling the university’s "third mission" by:

• educating the public in matters of public health
• strengthening cooperation with governmental bodies and both Ukrainian and international organizations
• expanding the university’s impact on the community

The center’s primary goal is to provide educational, research-based, outreach, consulting, and practical services to meet the region’s public health needs, raise public awareness of disease prevention, and promote healthy lifestyles.

As part of the project, specialized Training Kits on Public Health have been developed. These will be used both in the academic program "Public Health" and in community engagement efforts. Additionally, outlines for academic monographs have been created, summarizing best practices in implementing the third mission, both in Ukraine and internationally.

To support the center's activities, €16,000 has been allocated for the purchase of equipment necessary to carry out its declared functions.