--- title: "Ukrainian Universities Prepare for Winter Blackouts: Duty Dormitories, Support Hubs, and Server Backup Power" description: "The Ministry of Education of Ukraine has ordered universities to review their winter blackout response plans, prepare duty dormitories and support hubs, and ensure server backup power for remote learning." date: 2026-11-13T13:30:29.565Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/ukrainian-universities-prepare-for-winter-blackouts tags: [ukraine, universities, blackout, education, emergency-preparedness] author: "Alexander Buran" publisher: "XAB.info" --- # Ukrainian Universities Prepare for Winter Blackouts: Duty Dormitories, Support Hubs, and Server Backup Power ![Female student with a laptop and notebook studying in a university lecture hall during class](https://xab.info/media/2026/11/13/universitety-gotovyat-k-zimnim-blekautam/universitety-gotovyat-k-zimnim-blekautam-1.webp) ## Key Points - The Ministry of Education of Ukraine instructed universities to review emergency response plans for winter power, heat, and water outages and develop concise instructions for department heads. - Universities must provide server backup power for remote learning, prepare duty dormitories, and set up support hubs for students and local residents. - In January-February 2026, about 150 support hubs operated in universities, including 30+ in Kyiv; the ministry is drafting an order on university operations during emergencies. The Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine has instructed higher education institutions to prepare for potential winter emergencies, primarily long-term power, heating, and water outages. According to RBC-Ukraine, Deputy Education Minister Mykola Trofymenko announced this on Facebook. University leadership has been instructed to review existing emergency response plans and determine what resources are lacking for stable operation during a blackout. ### Review of Response Plans and Division of Responsibility A key element of preparation is not only a general plan, but also specific, concise instructions for department heads. According to the ministry, every employee must clearly understand who is responsible for what and how to act in the first hours after power, heat, or water issues arise. This approach is intended to eliminate chaos during an accident when decisions must be made quickly and according to a pre-written scenario rather than improvising. ### Remote Learning and Server Backup Power Special attention in the directive is paid to a potential transition to remote learning. Universities must ensure the uninterrupted operation of educational platforms and provide backup power for the servers hosting them. This means that even with a complete loss of external electricity, the online class infrastructure must continue functioning so that the educational process does not stop. ### Duty Dormitories and Student Support Hubs For students unable to leave the city, universities are advised to prepare duty dormitories equipped with heating, water, and electricity. In addition, universities must organize support hubs where not only students and staff, but also residents of surrounding areas can warm up and charge their phones. Thus, academic buildings are transforming into multifunctional anchor points for the entire neighborhood during energy crises. ### Winter 2026 Experience and Regulatory Formalization According to Mykola Trofymenko, about 150 such support hubs operated in universities in January and February 2026, including over 30 in Kyiv. This experience essentially served as a real-world test of mechanisms now being formalized systematically. Simultaneously, the Ministry of Education and Science is drafting an order on university operations during emergencies, and institutional plans and additional support needs are being developed jointly with university leadership. ### Context: Schools and Shelters The preparation of universities fits into a broader context of increasing the resilience of the entire education system. It was previously reported that over 90% of schools are capable of operating autonomously for more than eight hours during power outages, although the level of institution preparedness varies significantly by region. In Kyiv, 76 shelters in educational institutions have been repaired over two years so that children can study in formats other than strictly remote. Together, these measures indicate that the state is building a multi-layered system to ensure the continuity of education amid energy threats. ## Fact-Check & Sources - [Университеты готовят к блекаутам: что должны обеспечить для студентов зимой](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/universiteti-gotuyut-blekautiv-shcho-mayut-1794572744.html) - Primary source: MES directive to universities on winter emergency preparation, statement by Deputy Minister M. Trofymenko, figures on support hubs (approx. 150, 30+ in Kyiv), drafting of the order, school context (90%, 8+ hours), and Kyiv shelters (76). ## FAQ ### What specifically have Ukrainian universities been instructed to do for the winter? Review emergency response plans, identify resource shortages, develop concise instructions for department heads, ensure server backup power and educational platform operation, and prepare duty dormitories and support hubs. ### Who will be able to use the university support hubs? Students, university staff, and residents of nearby neighborhoods will be able to warm up and charge their phones. ### How many support hubs operated in universities in the winter of 2026? According to Deputy Education Minister Mykola Trofymenko, about 150 such hubs operated in universities in January and February 2026, including over 30 in Kyiv.