KMA scholars and Alumni in Washington. American-Ukrainian Partnership in Education and Science.

The conference "Stronger Together: American-Ukrainian Partnership in Education and Science" was held at the National Academy of Sciences in Washington on July 10, on the sidelines of the NATO Summit. The presence of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy alumni, scholars, and friends at the Washington conference and other related events was evident. 

Marta Farion, Kyiv-Mohyla Foundation’s President speaks at the Captive Nations Summit in Washington: “even after over two years of continuous devastated attacks on Ukraine, and the latest targeted intentional bombing of Ukraine’s largest children’s hospital in Kyiv just days before the start of the NATO Summit, Western countries still pretend that the war between Russia and Ukraine is a territorial dispute between the two countries that does not pose a threat to them.  Is it fear that prevents them from taking positions of leadership and security?“

National Academy of Sciences President Marcia McNutt opened the event with the news that the Academy launched the Science and Innovation Fund for Ukraine, a multimillion dollar initiative to position Ukrainian science and technology as a major driver of the country’s economic and national security.

Dr. Halyna Hryn, president of the Shevchenko Scientific Society of the U.S. delivered an opening address emphasizing the importance of the study of the humanities and in particular Ukraine’s history.  Iryna Borovets, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine focused on the role that education plays in Ukraine’s future.    

First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska was the keynote speaker at the event.  The fact that the First Lady of Ukraine attended the conference underscored the importance given to education at the highest levels of Ukraine’s government.  Madam Zelenska emphasized the key role that education plays in bringing about change in Ukraine and the world.  She said, “The spread of knowledge is a victory over aggression, over disruption, and over chaos.” 

Dr. Serhiy Kvit, president of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy was invited by the Embassy of Ukraine in the U.S. to participate in the conference, but was unable to attend.  Dr. Olha Poliukhovych, KMA Vice-President for Research and Academic Affairs, represented KMA at the panel “Planning Ahead: Academic Partnerships for a Stronger Tomorrow”.  Dr. Poliukhovych shared the university’s numerous collaborative and partnership programs conducted with Ukrainian and international universities.  The panel was moderated by Dr. Kateryna Smagliy, First Secretary of Embassy of Ukraine.  The panel included presentations by Dr. Camilla P. Benbow, Dean of Education and Human Development, Vanderbilt University, Ambassador Michael A. McFaul, Stanford University, Dr. Yevhen Kudriavets, First Deputy Minister of Education and Science of Ukraine, and Mr. Volodymyr Sheiko, General Director, Ukrainian Institute. 

A second panel titled,  “New Frontiers of the Ukrainian Studies in North America” was moderated by Ambassador John Herbst, former U.S. ambassador in Ukraine and Senior Director of the Atlantic Council's Eurasia Center.  Speakers included Dr. Eugene Fishel, George Mawson University, Dr. Yuliya Ladygina of Penn State, Dr. Yohanan Petrovsky-Shtern, Northwestern University and Kyiv-Mohyla Academy Honorary Doctor and board member of the Kyiv-Mohyla Foundation of America,  Dr. Sarah Phillips, Indiana University Bloomington, and Dr. William Pomeranz, Kennan Institute, Wilson Center. 

The Conference was co-sponsored with the Ukrainian Institute, Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ukraine House, the President’s Fund, and the Ministry of Education and Science.  The role of Ambassador Oksana Markarova and First Secretary Kateryna Smagliy, was key to the success and professionalism of the conference.  Both diplomats are graduates of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy.  

A reception took place before the conference, and it included a stand with unique English language books on Ukraine.  Many special guests attended the reception with First Lady Olena Zelenska, including Ambassador Madeleine Albright, who is a strong supporter of Kyiv-Mohyla programs, in particular the Women’s Peace and Security initiative.  Dr. Natalia Khanenko-Frizen, Director of the Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies of the University of Alberta presented First Lady Olena Zelenska with an English translation of “History of Ukraina-Rus”.  

The need for education on key issues related to Ukraine in American universities was a topic that received center stage.  Many speakers emphasized the need to include the study of Ukrainian history, geography, economic issues, political and trade issues, as well as security, culture, literature and language in order to prepare graduates who are then employed as American diplomats and leaders at government posts and corporations.  The need to present a perspective of Ukraine without the Russian lens is evident in many of the decisions that have been made about Ukraine in the last decades.  

The event drew attention to the work of Ukrainian universities in the conditions of the Russian full-scale invasion and the need to further develop partnership ties with American universities, as well as the need to rethink and strengthen Ukrainian studies in the world. 

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