FREE TRAINING COURSE FOR TEACHERS AND PHD STUDENTS IN HERITAGE PRESERVATION

Duration

40–55 hours of contact time (in-person and online sessions), 100 hours of self-study

Language

Ukrainian and English

Mode

Hybrid format. Includes online sessions and two intensive one-week in-person sessions in Lviv (in February and June, 2025)

Gai Jorayev

Gai is a cultural heritage management specialist with extensive experience in both academia and international development. He holds a degree in Tourism Management, a Master’s in Management of Archaeological Monuments, and a PhD in Heritage and Nation-Building, with a focus on post-Soviet Central Asia. Throughout his career, Gai has collaborated with international organizations in agriculture, tourism, and public health, while also addressing the challenges faced by heritage sites worldwide. His commitment to innovative digital solutions for heritage protection and research led him to establish a heritage laboratory and launch a Digital Heritage course at UCL.

As part of a course hosted by Kharkiv School, Gai will teach tools for mapping and analyzing spatial data tailored to the Ukrainian context. The program will focus on creating, sharing, and analyzing open data for heritage sites, ranging from historic urban centers to archaeological landscapes, while exploring inventory systems for recovery and restoration. With an emphasis on accessible, free tools and high-quality outputs, Gai’s work aims to empower professionals in leveraging Ukraine’s cultural heritage as a cornerstone for regeneration and future development.

Cornelis Stal

Cornelis Stal is a specialist in land surveying and geomatics with a rich academic background from Ghent, Belgium, where he earned his Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD. His doctoral research focused on 3D documentation of architectural structures and processing point clouds, sparking his interest in applying these technologies across interdisciplinary fields, including civil engineering, biology, and geomorphology. For nearly a decade, Cornelis has been a full lecturer at HOGENT and a contributor to the Digital Tools Program at the Heritage Management Organization (HERITAGE), guiding students and professionals worldwide in mastering 3D modeling, laser scanning, GIS, and GeoICT.

In a course hosted by Kharkiv School, Cornelis will lead participants through photogrammetry techniques via lectures and hands-on exercises. The program will cover the full workflow—from image acquisition to publishing 3D models and orthophotos—using accessible software and hardware. Participants will gain practical skills to create high-quality outputs for heritage management, archaeology, and curatorial work, bridging theoretical knowledge with real-world applications in the sustainable management of tangible heritage.

Maja Kominko

Maja is the Director of Projects at the Heritage Management Organisation in Athens and former Scientific Director of ALIPH, a Geneva-based organization protecting heritage in conflict zones. With a doctorate in history and archaeology from the University of Oxford, she has over 15 years of experience leading conservation projects in the Middle East, Asia, and Africa, focusing on data-driven decisions and adherence to international standards.

In the course at Kharkiv School, Maja will discuss the evolution of conservation practices and standards, using case studies to explore how challenges are addressed in different contexts. Participants will learn sustainable approaches to preserving heritage for future generations.

Yurii Prepodobnyi

Yurii Prepodobnyi is the co-founder of Skeiron, a company dedicated to the digitization of Ukraine’s cultural heritage. With over 10 years of experience in laser scanning and a Master’s degree in geodesy from Lviv Polytechnic National University, Yurii has led efforts to create detailed 3D models of around 200 heritage sites, including UNESCO-listed landmarks like St. Sophia Cathedral and the wooden churches of the Carpathians.

In the course at Kharkiv School, Yurii will teach a module on laser scanning, covering its principles, equipment, and data processing techniques. Participants will gain hands-on experience creating point cloud models and learn how these tools aid in monitoring, restoration planning, and the preservation of cultural heritage during wartime, ensuring its legacy for future generations.

Iryna Matsevko

Iryna Matsevko is a historian, PhD, and graduate of the University of Lviv, where she defended her thesis on Neo-Slavism and its reception in early 20th-century Galicia. From 2008 to 2019, she served as Deputy Director and Head of Public History Programs at the Centre for Urban History in Lviv, focusing on contested urban memories and inclusive heritage practices. She has coordinated public history projects, developed heritage tools for professionals, and co-led initiatives such as the Synagogue Space Commemorative Project and the “ReHERIT: Common Responsibility for Shared Heritage” project.

Since 2021, Iryna has been Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Humanities Block tutor at the Kharkiv School of Architecture, where she designs courses on the cultural and social contexts of architecture, heritage studies, and urban practices. Her academic interests include public history, urban heritage, and the sustainable development of cities and communities.