Across the Oceans, United for Ukraine
Dear Friends,
Join us on May 2 in Chicago at the Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art, on May 7 in Washington at the Ukrainian House, or on May 9 — New York City at the Ukrainian Institute of America. Let’s support these special benefit gatherings to support Ukraine’s education, resilience and future.
Your support matters. Students’ lives and their education have been disrupted by war, veterans and soldiers need to be prepared to lead Ukraine’s reconstruction and recovery, young lawyers need to be prepared to bring justice in courts. Even in the most difficult times, in the center of Kyiv, where missiles attack every night, Kyiv-Mohyla Academy remains a place where critical thinking and ethical leadership thrive. Tickets: kmfoundation.org. We would be honored by your presence.
We bring you some of the latest news from the activities and programs at the National University Kyiv-Mohyla Academy. I am in awe of the energy and initiatives at this time of war.
Marta Farion
Askold Melnychuk establishes Prizes to Support Young Ukrainian Poets and Researchers
Ukrainian-American writer and poet Askold Melnychuk, in partnership with the Department of Literary Studies named after V. Morenets, established two annual prizes to support young poets and researchers at the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy. Named after Melnychuk’s maternal family, the The Zahajkewycz Poetry Prize, and The Zahajkewycz Prize for the Best BA or MA Thesis in Ukrainian Studies were initiated while the prize winners will be announced May 2026 with the award ceremony that will take place in June 2026.
“These prizes honor my mother’s enduring faith in the transformative power of literature,” said Melnychuk, author of four novels, poetry collections, and a short story book. Askold Melnychuk is co-editor of From Three Worlds and founder of Arrowsmith Press.
📌 More details: https://shhr.ink/VfkYqZ
We Honor Her Legacy
Dr. Maria Slobodian left a lasting legacy through an endowment that provides annual awards to academic research. This year, nearly 350 submissions were reviewed, with eight winners selected from across various disciplines including journalism, sociology, public health, and natural sciences.
Eight projects were chosen to receive the Maria Slobodian Fellowships for Academic Research. Congratulations to the recipient. Through her vision and generosity, an endowment was established at Kyiv-Mohyla Academy to support students, researchers, and faculty. Her legacy continues to empower future generations.Dr. Maria A. Slobodian (1959–2016) was a medical doctor, community leader, and dedicated supporter of Ukrainian education. Born in Argentina to a Ukrainian family after World War II, she later made her home in Chicago, where she remained loved by her patients, engaged in her medical practice and in the Ukrainian community life.
NaUKMA Professor Wins Dr. Myroslava Ivantsiv Research Fund Grant
The Kyiv-Mohyla School of Professional and Continuing Education (#kma_pro) proudly congratulates Olha Pizhuk, Doctor of Economics and Professor at the Department of Interdisciplinary Education, on winning the project competition of the Dr. Myroslava Ivantsiv Endowment Fund.
Professor Pizhuk’s winning project, “From Brain Drain to Talent Circulation: Institutional Policies for Ukraine’s Recovery”, is an important research project of utmost relevance to Ukraine’s current migration issues.
Established in 2016 by the International Charitable Foundation for the Revival of the Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, the Dr. Myroslava Ivantsiv Endowment Fund supports research and scholarships at the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy. Dr. Ivantsiv was a doctor of dentistry who supported Ukraine’s struggles for independence in the 1980’s and Kyiv-Mohyla Academy from the first days if its rebirth.
NaUKMA Celebrates Winners of Ukraine’s “Book of the Year” Awards 2025
The Book of the Year awards are among Ukraine’s most prestigious independent literary rankings, recognizing works that shape the country’s intellectual and cultural landscape. Each year, expert juries evaluate hundreds of publications across categories from fiction to humanities and non-fiction.
We congratulate the following members of the Kyiv-Mohyla community who were honored to receive the 2025 Prize.
For Poetry (Красне письменство)
Yaryna Chornoguz, poet and combat medic, for “ Midnight Saffron”(” Нічний Шафран”)
For Historical Non-Fiction (Минувшина)
Serhii Plokhii, former Director of the Ukrainian Research Institute at Harvard University, for “Chernobyl Roulette: War in a Nuclear Zone”
For Biographies (Хрестоматія)
Vyacheslav Bryukhovetsky, for “Victor Petrov in Duel with Leviathan: Biographical Research and Literary Insights”
Publisher of the Year
NaUKMA’s publishing house “Dukh I Litera”, shaping quality humanities literature.
NaUKMA and UNESCO implement two new exhibits in the Virtual Museum of Jewish History and Culture
Two new pages were added to the Virtual as part of the research project Jewish Heritage in Ukraine at the Virtual Museum of Jewish History and Culture. The project is implemented by the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy in partnership with UNESCO Ukraine, with financial support from the European Union.
One page is dedicated to Babi Yar, one of the most tragic Holocaust sites in Ukraine, documenting mass shootings in Kyiv during the Nazi occupation. The exhibit includes historical documents, testimonies, and other sources that help convey the scale of the tragedy and its postwar remembrance.
The second page highlights Moisey Beregovsky, a prominent ethnomusicologist and collector of Eastern European Jewish musical traditions. The materials showcase his research, archival legacy, and the significance of his work for understanding Jewish music culture.
Explore the new exhibits here: https://shhr.ink/cGMyip
Kyiv-Mohyla Academy Hosts Premiere of “CrimeaVox: Chronicles of Occupation”
The National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy hosted the premiere of the first episode of “CrimeaVox: Chronicles of Occupation”, a documentary series on the occupation of Crimea, produced by the media team Crimea Vox in collaboration with the NGO Kyiv-Mohyla Analytical Platform and supported by the Government of the United Kingdom.
The series documents the long-term realities of the occupation and preserves historical and contemporary narratives for education, public awareness, and advocacy. Executive producer Muslim Umerov emphasized that the project counters years of Russian propaganda and challenges myths of Crimea as “historically Russian.”
Charlotte Suren, Deputy Head of the UK Embassy in Ukraine, noted: “The film we watch today bears witness to human courage, resilience, and the pursuit of freedom. These are voices of people whose stories speak of faith and strength. Crimea is Ukraine.”
The event brought together government officials, diplomats, human rights activists, academics, and the public. Participants included Refat Chubarov, Head of the Qırımtatar Milliy Meclisi; Denis Chystikov, Deputy Representative of the President of Ukraine in Crimea; MP Tamila Tasheva; NaUKMA President Serhiy Kvit; Ayder Rustamov, Grand Mufti of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Crimea; and other distinguished guests.
The premiere combined a screening with a public discussion on memory, responsibility, and state policy toward Crimea. Attendees could also write letters to illegally imprisoned Ukrainians as part of the Letters to a Free Crimea initiative and visit the photo exhibition Growing Up Waiting for Dad, dedicated to children of parents held in Russian detention facilities, organized by ZMINA Human Rights Center.
Fourth Cohort of Veterans Begins “Leadership and Resilience” Program at Kyiv-Mohyla Academy
On March 7, the fourth cohort of the Executive Education program “Leadership and Resilience” began their studies at the Ukrainian Defenders Leadership Center at the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy.
Launched in September 2024, the program is the Center’s flagship initiative, designed to support and empower Ukrainian veterans pursuing careers in public policy, civic leadership, and other roles essential to the country’s recovery and development. “Veterans are strengthening civilian life. Their experience is being integrated into society, and our shared task is to help it grow”, stated Gennadiy Zubko, Chairman of the KMA Board of Trustees.
“The most valuable thing Kyiv-Mohyla Academy provides to its graduates is not only knowledge and skills, but a philosophy of thinking, a sense of community, and a readiness to take responsibility for the country,” Kvit noted.
We are honored to support the Veterans Leadership and Resilience Center from generous donors in the United States.
Professor Olha Hnatiuk speaks on Rethinking Ukraine’s Role in WWII at UK Parliament
“The Ukrainian question remained the largest unresolved issue in Europe between the two World Wars. After the Paris Peace Conference, Ukrainians found themselves divided among four states, and for them, the war did not truly end in 1918. Soviet authorities systematically suppressed Ukrainian resistance - from the defeat of the independence movement to the Holodomor and the Great Terror. Without understanding this experience, it is impossible to explain the distorted image of World War II shaped by Soviet historiography.”
With these words, Olha Hnatiuk, professor at the History Department of the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, addressed participants at the parliamentary forum “The Ukraine Factor”, held at the UK Parliament.
The event, organized at the invitation of Sir Iain Duncan Smith, focused on reassessing Ukraine’s role in World War II and developing a more comprehensive understanding of its contribution to the defeat of Nazism.
Discussions extended beyond history into the present day—examining how Soviet narratives shaped Western perceptions of the war for decades, and how these distortions continue to influence political discourse today.
The forum also featured prominent voices on contemporary security and political issues, including Al Carns, UK Minister for the Armed Forces; Kyrylo
Budanov, Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine; and Valerii Zaluzhnyi,
Ambassador of Ukraine to the United Kingdom.
“Youth Davos 2026” Winter School Brings Together Emerging Leaders in Germany
The second Winter School “Youth Davos – 2026: Global Ukrainian Unity. The Spirit of Dialogue and Responsible Leadership” took place in Germany, bringing together young leaders from Ukraine and Germany.
The international initiative was implemented in partnership between the Kyiv-Mohyla School of Professional and Continuing Education at the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy and SchlaUA Schule.
The program united students of the interdisciplinary bachelor’s program “Political Leadership and Economic Diplomacy,” participants of partner initiatives, and representatives of Ukrainian academic communities.
Over four days, participants explored Ukraine’s strategic development priorities for 2026, focusing on the transformation of political elites and the role of responsible leadership in a time of global uncertainty. The program featured analytical sessions, strategic workshops, and interactive trainings.
Participants examined historical state-building case studies, conducted a SWOT analysis of Ukraine-2026, developed SMART goals, and modeled leadership teams across key areas of development, including: Ukraine as a global hub for MilTech and modern military medicine;
Recovery through competitiveness and human capital development; Transparent governance and an empowered civil society; Ukraine as a global leader in education.
The program was mentored by Tetiana Nahorniak, Dean of the Kyiv-Mohyla School of Professional and Continuing Education; Nataliia Kravchuk, Head of the Department of Interdisciplinary Education; as well as senior lecturers Yana Zheliabovska and Ihor Ozadovskyi.
German Deputy Ambassador Visits Kyiv-Mohyla Academy to Strengthen Cooperation
Maximilian Rasch, Deputy Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Ukraine, visited the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy to discuss academic resilience, scientific collaboration, and Ukraine’s post-war recovery.
The visit included a campus tour and a meeting with Serhiy Kvit, President of NaUKMA, alongside key university leaders Olha Poliukhovych, Vice President for Research and Academic Affairs; Larysa Chovnyuk, Vice President for International Cooperation; and Michael Leshenko, Science Advisor at the Embassy of Germany in Kyiv. Discussions focused on sustaining academic and research activities during wartime, lessons learned by Ukrainian universities, and opportunities for future collaboration.
A roundtable titled “German–Ukrainian Cooperation in Science and Education, and in Energy and Climate in Times of War” brought together faculty, students, alumni, and partners including the Helmholtz Berlin Center for Materials and Energy and Green Deal Ukraїna to explore ongoing initiatives and future prospects in science, education, energy, and climate policy.
Deputy Ambassador Rasch also joined the opening of the seminar “Energy and Climate Policy”, organized by the NaUKMA Kyiv Energy and Climate Laboratory in partnership with HZB, as part of NaUKMA Science Days 2026.
KMA Hosts RoboSumo 2026 – A Student-Built Robotics Competition
Kyiv-Mohyla Academy hosted RoboSumo 2026, a thrilling competition where autonomous robots attempt to push their opponents out of the race. This year’s tournament brought together teams from the NaUKMA Faculty of Computer Science, Ukrainian Catholic University, Kyiv National Aviation University, and the engineering school Brobots.
Student-built robots faced off in high-stakes technical battles, testing engineering designs and autonomy skills. The KMA teams FPV Robotics Lab and Decepticons claimed first and second place, while the UCU team Sherman secured third place.
“Preparing for the competition taught me to apply the scientific method to problem-solving—relying on objectivity rather than intuition. It was an intense process, often from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., but this dedication helped us dive deeper into engineering and succeed,” said Danilo Bega of FPV Robotics Lab.
Congratulations to the winners, and thanks to all teams for their creativity, technical skill, and competitive spirit. Special thanks to the general partner Viatec for supporting the event.
Kateryna Busol, Associate Professor at Kyiv-Mohyla School of Law Led Round Table on Transitional Justice for Ukraine: Myths and Paths Forward
How can justice be restored after the gravest crimes? Can it go beyond punishing perpetrators to supporting victims, establishing the truth, and helping society move forward? On March 13, Kateryna Busol, Associate Professor of International and European Law at NaUKMA, presented the new ICTJ report “Myths and Paths Forward: Transitional Justice for Ukraine” during a discussion at the Ukrainian Crisis Media Center. The research highlights how transitional justice mechanisms—including reparations, truth-seeking, memorialization, institutional reforms, and guarantees of non-repetition—can protect victims, support societal recovery, and counter disinformation about Russia’s war against Ukraine.
Professor Busol emphasized the importance of transitional justice in the context of European integration, noting that the EU Association Agreement prioritizes human rights, rule of law, and victim-centered governance.
Full discussion recordings:
Ukrianian https://www.youtube.com/live/VwvnlNNdfA0
English https://www.youtub e.com/live/X-UyzBmzwzA
Meeting with Ukrainian Dissident Mykola Horbal
Renowned Ukrainian dissident Mykola Horbal was honored at a special event in Chicago at the Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art on March 15. The event was organized by the Kyiv Mohyla Foundation of America in collaboration with co-sponsors of the event that included the UCCA Illinois Division, Selfreliance Foundation, the UA Heritage Foundation, and the Organization of Four Freedoms of Ukraine.
Mykola Horbal - poet, composer, human rights advocate, and former political prisoner, a member of the Ukrainian Helsinki Group, was arrested three times by Soviet authorities and spent a total of sixteen years in labor camps of the Gulag. At the age of 86, the resilience of the human spirit was evident as he traveled to the United States to meet with the community and share his experience of resistance and the struggle for freedom.
Members of the Kyiv Mohyla Foundation of America, including Marta Farion, Motria Melnyk, Maria Klimchak, Dr. Danylo Hryhorczuk participated in the event emphasizing the importance of preserving historical memory and the relevance of the Dissident Movement of the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s in providing continuity in the struggle for independence.