Can studying at a business school serve as a real catalyst for the reconstruction of Ukrainian cities right now, without waiting for the war to end? In a new study titled “Business on the Frontlines at UCU: Service-Learning as an Instrument of Territorial Recovery in Wartime Ukraine,” UCU Business School CEO Yaryna Boychuk and UCU Associate Professor Artem Kornetskyy analyze the unique experience of engaging business leaders in the revival of local communities.
This work is part of an international collection dedicated to the role of service-learning in Ukraine’s recovery. It is based on the results of adapting the well-known “Business on the Frontlines” (BOTFL) methodology from the University of Notre Dame (USA) for Ukrainian managers.
What is this study about?
The authors analyze the experience of the “Business on the Frontlines” (BOTFL) course, conducted in the fall of 2025 for students in the Business Administration program (Key Executive MBA). In contrast to traditional education, which usually focuses on theoretical knowledge, this project focused on creating direct value for the community of Novyi Rozdil.
Key revitalization cases described in the article:
– Revitalization of the Zhevusky-Lanckoronski Palace: developing a business model to transform this 18th-century architectural landmark into a self-sustaining cultural center.
– Relaunch of the Industrial Park: repositioning a neglected industrial site as an infrastructure platform for eco-friendly manufacturing.
– Export strategy for “Zakhid Solod”: preparing a local malt producer to enter the North American and European markets.
Why is this experience unique in the world?
Research by Yaryna Boichuk and Artem Kornetsky identifies three mechanisms that make business education effective for revitalization:
Consulting-level solutions: Management students create not just “academic projects,” but concrete financial models and strategies that communities are already integrating into their development plans.
Infrastructure of trust: A network of connections is established between the university, city hall, the clergy, and local businesses, reducing the costs of future collaboration.
Redefining the role of a leader: The program shapes the “moral imagination” of top managers, transforming them from professional administrators into active citizens ready to invest their intellect in the country’s recovery.
This study demonstrates that, in wartime, universities can serve not only as educational centers but also as real drivers of the economic and social revival of communities.
You can read the full article by Artem Kornetskyy and Yaryna Boychuk in the collection at the following link: Service-Learning for Ukraine’s Recovery | Liha-Pres.
