NaUKMA Convocation 2022 – in Conditions of War
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This year, National University Kyiv-Mohyla Academy held graduation ceremonies in various secure and safe venues on campus. Russia’s brutal unprovoked war was aimed first and foremost at Kyiv. As the university’s central location in the city’s Podil area was not and still is not safe, all plans for the academic year and public observances changed, classes resumed online andin small groups in various departments. Graduation ceremonies were held in various locations on campus to avoid large crowds.
Taking into consideration the conditions of war, students received an e-mail with instructions for their safety. For example, in order to control the number of people in attendance at graduation ceremonies, students were not allowed to invite their parents or friends, because in Kyiv there is a continual over the need to run to bomb shelters. Even so, students were thankful for the smaller ceremonies online and offline within university departments, and they were happy to meet their friends, longing for a return to normal campus life. Some students returned to Ukraine from other countries to join the ceremony.
The brutality of war paused everything in people’s lives and it affected education, especially in schools and universities in east and central Ukraine, areas that suffered the most from major bombings. NaUKMA’s students and faculty members whose homes were destroyed were forced to flee. Many serve in military formations, and others work on gathering aid for internal refugees and to the front.
Dr. Serhiy Kvit, president of NaUKMA, greeted the graduates online. With greetings and best wishes, he thanked all graduates for their contribution to the well-being and development of the university and assured them that they will change the world for the better. He stated, “Our country is now at war, many of our Kyiv-Mohyla brothers and sisters are fighting at the front and many students and alumni are working to help through charitable work. Come back to your alma mater, bring your children, share your knowledge. Ukraine will win this war and Ukraine needs you.”
Studying and receiving a diploma in conditions of war
The war was not a time to think about lectures and tests at the university. It was a time of air raids, when students, faculty and alumni united for survival and for help to their country. Many charitable initiatives and associations, such as Cyber FI, Vzaemodopomoha KMA (Mutual Aid KMA), UA First Aid were organized at the university. Numerous students and alumni volunteered to military service, or to transport humanitarian and medical aid from the western border to the east.
The lack of electricity, internet connections, and technical problems for online work did not prevent the educational process to resume in April. Some students left their laptops in occupied territories as they were forced to evacuate from their homes. Teachers supplied them with their own laptops and borrowed ones.
Nevertheless, academic work took place online and in small groups on campus, exams were completed, and the convocation took place. Faculty members, academic advisors, and student organizations did heroic work during this period helping the educational and administrative process to proceed.
Denis Azarov, Dean of the Kyiv-Mohyla School of Law, proudly photographed the graduating class of 2022, along with their faculty members. He greeted the new lawyers with advice for their future, “Be strong and courageous, never give up, and always aim for the goal. Always keep Mohylianka (Kyiv-Mohyla Academy) in your hearts and come back, we will always welcome you”. Ukraine will be victorious!”