Dundee professor honoured by Ukrainian university after 'answering call for support' during war

A University of Dundee professor has been honoured by a Ukrainian university for “answering the call for support” during the war.

Professor Jacob George, chair of cardiovascular medicine and therapeutics in Dundee, is to be named Honorary Professor of Dnipro State Medical University in recognition of his contributions to teaching and research since the beginning of the Russian invasion in 2022.

The professor said he was deeply humbled to receive the award.

“The most amazing thing to me is how tenacious the Ukrainian people are,” he added.

“They have so much going on, yet they just go about their day. They are so resilient, so amazing, and I am truly inspired by them.”

‘Unforgettable’ first lecture

Professor George was initially approached to help bolster teaching in Ukraine as local resources were stretched due to the conflict.

He expected to teach only medical students, but he soon found his lectures attended by entire faculties, with as many as 500 people gathering via video link.

His lecture topics have included cardiovascular risk reduction, managing hypertension in older patients, and dyslipidaemia, alongside regular updates on the latest clinical trial evidence.

With his lectures translated into Ukrainian and shared widely at national conferences in 2023 and 2024, they inspired DSMU’s initiative “United Hearts with Ukraine”, attracting international experts from across Europe and the US.

A particular “unforgettable moment” came for the professor when an air raid siren interrupted his first lecture.

When the students returned online, many were in the dark, lit only by candlelight and reflection from their computer screen.

Professor George hopes to visit the university in person when the situation allows and has been invited many times.

In the meantime, he will continue teaching remotely, with two advanced lectures on heart failure scheduled for May and October this year.

In a letter confirming the award, the Ukrainian University wrote, “On behalf of the Rector of Dnipro State Medical University, Head of the Dnipro Association of Internists, Professor Tetiana Pertseva, we would like to thank Professor Jacob George and Dundee University for their fruitful cooperation, and the people of the United Kingdom for the support we feel for our young scientists, people and state during these terrible times.”