"Through Trials, Science Shines: The Ukrainian Path"
As the world is undergoing profound changes, the war in Ukraine has turned the country into an engine of innovation—resilient, adaptive, and forward-looking. Even as Kyiv’s infrastructure has been under attack, the Kyiv-Mohyla Academy has not slowed down. It has moved forward with purpose. KMA remains a powerful center of independent thought: advancing innovation in education, science, and technology; countering disinformation through StopFake and social research; and strengthening Ukrainian identity through an interdisciplinary ecosystem that invests in the nation’s most valuable asset—its people, our students and faculty.
By supporting Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, you are investing in Ukraine’s human capital and in a future where Ukraine helps shape a new global order grounded in knowledge, truth, and democratic values. Thank you for standing with Kyiv-Mohyla Academy and for making this vision possible through your support of its programs and scholarships.
Marta Farion
President, Kyiv Mohyla Foundation of Ameerica
Please help Kyiv-Mohyla Foundation, USA continue its mission
Ukraine House Davos: Reflections from the World Economic Forum
By Marta Farion, President, Kyiv-Mohyla Foundation of America
After returning from Davos, many people asked me a simple question: “How was it?” There is no one-sentence answer. What I witnessed deserves a more thoughtful reflection.
I was honored to be invited to attend the panels at Ukraine House Davos by Jaroslawa “Slava” Johnson, president and chief-executive-officer of the Ukraine Moldova American Enterprise Fund (UMAEF). It was a pleasure to join Dennis Johnson, chairman of UMAEF, and Lenna Koszarny, founder and chief executive officer of Horizon Capital, the largest Ukrainian investment fund.
It is no overstatement to say that Ukraine House Davos was presented at the highest possible level. Its professional execution, thoughtful programming, and strong global presence were made possible through the sponsorship and leadership of UMAEF and the Victor Pinchuk Foundation, with significant contributions from its dynamic board member Svitlana Grytsenko.
The four-day program was brilliantly led by Ulyana Khromyak, executive director of Ukraine House Ukraine. Thirteen panels brought together global business leaders, policymakers, journalists, and experts to address strategic narratives and critical issues facing Ukraine. The physical space and the substance of the programming reinforced the reputation of Ukraine House as a world-class pavilion. Ukraine House was recognized by Politico as the No. 1 presenting pavilion in Davos in both 2024 and 2025, and there is every reason to expect this recognition to continue.
Beyond Ukraine House, the World Economic Forum featured major official events and influential side gatherings, including a dinner and breakfast hosted by the Victor Pinchuk Foundation. These events included high-level panel discussions moderated by Zanny Minton Beddoes, editor-in-chief of The Economist, and Fareed Zakaria, CNN host and political commentator.
“Change or Die”
What was the overarching message of Davos this year? In my view, it was captured by two words: “Change or Die.”
This message was powerfully expressed through an art installation at Ukraine House — a piercing metal and neon sculpture bearing those words, presented by the Pinchuk Foundation and created by Ukrainian artist Oleksiy Sai. Nearby, an AI-generated video by artists Yarema Malashchuk and Roman Khimei depicted the bombing of major European cities using the same missiles Russia is deploying against Ukraine’s infrastructure this winter.
Displayed on a massive mural screen, the video delivered a chilling and unmistakable message to Europe: this war is not distant — it is at your door. Together, these artworks signaled that the global order has shifted. The atmosphere in the Swiss Alps reflected a growing recognition that profound changes are underway — in economies, geopolitical power, military preparedness, and collective thinking.
A Shifting Global Landscape
The mood and spirit of Davos were shaped by three dominant figures and themes: President Donald Trump, President Volodymyr Zelensky, Prime Minister Mark Carney — and the geopolitical weight of Greenland and Ukraine. The rupture in the Western alliance was evident in speeches and private conversations alike. Governments and corporations are reassessing partnerships and searching for reliability in an increasingly unstable world.
In this context, I was deeply proud to see Ukraine recognized as a major global player — not only in geopolitics, but in innovation, technology, agriculture, and human capital. Ukraine is widely viewed as a reliable partner and a country of extraordinary resilience. Entering the fifth year of its war against Russia’s supposed “great power,” Ukraine’s capacity to resist and adapt is acknowledged across political and business circles.
Ukraine House welcomed a steady flow of political leaders and corporate decision-makers, many of whom expressed admiration for Ukraine’s military capabilities, defense innovations, and above all, for the courage and resilience of the Ukrainian people.
From Solidarity to Investment
Importantly, Davos was not only about solidarity — it was about investment and reconstruction. Ukraine House functioned as a true deal-making platform.
A standout achievement was announced by Lenna Koszarny and Horizon Capital, which successfully completed the first closing of its Horizon Capital Catalyst Fund (HCCF) — a €300 million reconstruction fund. Just six months after launch, the fund has already raised over €150 million, surpassing 50% of its target.
HCCF focuses on sectors critical to Ukraine’s recovery and long-term growth: energy, digital infrastructure, and construction. Horizon Capital’s broader strategic goal is to mobilize up to €3 billion for Ukraine by using catalytic capital to attract ten times that amount from international investors and financial institutions.
Alongside the fund’s first closing, Horizon Capital signed its initial deal with NOTUS Energy to develop a 124 MW wind power plant in the Odesa region — a powerful signal that investment in Ukraine’s future is not theoretical, but already underway.
A Defining Moment
Davos made one thing clear: Ukraine is not only fighting for its survival — it is helping redefine Europe’s future and the global order itself. Ukraine House Davos showed the world that Ukraine is present, capable, innovative, and indispensable. And that is a message no one in Davos could ignore.
Global Disinformation in the Post-Moderation Era: Symposium at Northwestern University
On January 22–23, Northwestern University in Evanston hosted an international symposium on the challenges of global disinformation in the so-called “post-moderation era.” The event was organized by the Roberta Buffett Institute for Global Affairs and the Center for Communication and Public Policy at Northwestern University, in partnership with the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, the Kyiv-Mohyla Foundation of America, and the Polsky Foundation.
The symposium brought together experts from academia, public policy, media, and civil society to discuss issues such as trust in information, the responsibilities of digital platforms and governments, and emerging strategies for countering disinformation.
Viktoriia Romaniuk, PhD, deputy editor-in-chief of StopFake and director of the Mohyla School of Journalism at the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, delivered a keynote presentation аs part of the panel “Countering State-Sponsored Disinformation and Trust in the Information Space”.
Commenting on her participation, Romaniuk emphasized the importance of considering different historical and political contexts when addressing disinformation. She noted that the current criticism of content moderation in the United States reflects a deep-rooted resistance to censorship and restrictions on freedoms, a highly sensitive issue for American society. Ukraine, by contrast, has faced authoritarian pressures and is now dealing with the realities of a full-scale war, which shapes a different approach to combating disinformation.
Romaniuk stressed that disinformation should be viewed not only as a domestic media issue but also as a national security challenge with consequences that extend far beyond the immediate moment.
We congratulate Viktoriia Romaniuk, who represented the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, on her successful presentation and wish her continued success in her important work.
Kyiv-Mohyla Students Recognized at Second National Forum for Talented Youth
Students from the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy (NaUKMA) participated in the Second National Forum for Talented Youth, supported by the President of Ukraine’s Fund for Education, Science, and Sports. The annual event brings together young people with notable achievements in science, technology, education, and civic engagement.
During the forum, two NaUKMA students were honored: first-year Computer Science students Danylo Beha and Andrii Shehynskyi.
Danylo Beha was recognized for his volunteer work and charitable initiatives, having raised over 1 million UAH for the Ukrainian Armed Forces with his team over two years. Andrii Shehynskyi received an award for providing technical support to military units with FPV drones and contributing to the country’s defense capabilities. The NaUKMA community congratulates the students on their achievements and wishes them continued success.
The Futey Family Fund sponsors scholarships for two Kyiv-Mohyla Law Students
The Futey Family Fund, established by former U.S. Court of Federal Claims Judge Bohdan Futey, has again funded annual scholarships for two graduate students from the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy (NaUKMA) who qualified for their academic excellence and civic engagement.
This year’s scholarship recipients are Maksym Popelchuk and Yurii Vanin, both enrolled in the Master’s program in Law. The award allows them to focus on research and professional growth during the ongoing war in Ukraine.
“For me, this support opens the opportunity to concentrate on legal research and studies that I hope will contribute to the development of legal research,” said Maksym Popelchuk. Yurii Vanin added, “Receiving this scholarship is a great honor, especially during these challenging times. It inspires me to keep developing for the future of Ukraine.”
NaUKMA’s Faculty of Law emphasized that the scholarship not only reduces a financial burden but also fosters a sense of trust and encouragement from the legal community. The law school expressed gratitude to Judge Futey and his family for their consistent support of Ukrainian law students, calling it a valuable investment in the future of Ukraine’s legal system.
About Judge Bohdan Futey: Born in Ukraine in 1939, Futei emigrated to the U.S. in 1957. He served as a judge on the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, has taught law internationally, and is an honorary professor at NaUKMA. The Futey Family Fund was established in 2020 to support talented law students in Ukraine.
Believe in a miracle — and it will happen!
Join the initiative — “Give the Young Angel Wings”!
Last Christmas, the Kyiv-Mohyla Foundation of America received an unexpected gift from the Anhelyk Foundation (Little Angel Foundation), a charitable organization from San Francisco — $1,000 for the education of a child affected by the war in Ukraine, who will begin the Leadership Trajectory Program at Kyiv-Mohyla Academy.
Yarema Kuzyshyn, co-founder of the media platform Hromada, said, “If you knew about the work of this foundation, you would definitely give wings to the little angel 😇 — We aim to provide scholarships for 5 children”.
Support here https://hromada.us/.../support-scholarships-at-kyivmohyla...
Hromada carries out charitable work through the Anhelyk Foundation, created to support children whose parents died defending Ukraine. May goodness return a hundredfold!
We sincerely thank them for this generous gift, which marks the beginning of a new initiative — “Give the Young Angel Wings”! 🕊️ Our goal is to raise $50,000.The scholarships will support 50 war-affected children who have not lost their determination to get an education and build a better future for themselves and for Ukraine. By supporting them, the Anhelyk Foundation helps form future leaders and innovators who will stand at the forefront of Ukraine’s recovery.
How to help:
One scholarship = $1,000
Covers six months of education for one child affected by the war. Together, we can give wings to those who dream and strive to learn! ✨🕊️
The Kyiv-Mohyla Foundation of America is a registered charitable organization. All funds go directly to their intended purpose. Let’s give angel wings to Ukraine!
Join the initiative — “Give the Young Angel Wings”!
Thank you for helping Kyiv-Mohyla Foundation, USA continue its mission
KMA Juni Christmas Gifts Reach Their Recipients
Students from the scholarship program “Individual Leader Trajectory” prepared heartfelt holiday cards for their mentors—these cards became their Christmas gifts this year.
The initiative was made possible thanks to the generosity of patrons in the Ukrainian community in the United States, who supported scholarships for children affected by the Russian-Ukrainian war. “Ukraine exists wherever there are Ukrainians”, and this effort is another example of global Ukrainian solidarity.
With this support, children feel care, attention, and belief in their potential. For mentors, the cards serve as a warm reminder that their guidance leaves a lasting mark on young hearts.
Over the past two years, the Ukrainian-American community, through the Kyiv-Mohyla Foundation, has provided 82 scholarships to children of fallen or missing Ukrainian defenders—helping those who “hold the sky” and continue to build Ukraine’s future.
Kyiv-Mohyla Academy Celebrates Its First Winter Convocation Amid War
The National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy (NaUKMA) marked a historic milestone with its first-ever winter convocation, celebrating the inaugural graduates of its groundbreaking interdisciplinary master’s programs: Urban Governance Policy for community leaders and Education Management for school administrators.
These students achieved their degrees under extraordinary circumstances—balancing studies, professional work, and volunteer efforts while living through the full-scale Russian invasion. Dean Tetiana Nahorniak praised the graduates for their resilience, saying, “You studied, worked, and volunteered every day, even during blackouts and nightly shelling. You truly embody the spirit of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy.”
The ceremony was filled with inspiring moments: speeches from university leaders, national politicians, and faculty; a stirring performance of the Spiritual Anthem of Ukraine by National Opera soloist Olga Matushenko; and the symbolic tassel-turning ritual marking the graduates’ transition into the larger Kyiv-Mohyla community.
NaUKMA emphasized that education, interdisciplinarity, and transformational leadership are not abstract ideas—they are daily practices shaping Ukraine’s future, even in the midst of war.
Olha Poliukhovych Participates in Oxford Project Supporting Ukrainian Publishing Resilience
Olha Poliukhovych, PhD, vice president for research and academic affairs at the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy (NaUKMA) and former Fulbright Fellow at Harvard, took part in the project “Supporting Ukrainian Publishing Resilience and Recovery” (SUPRR) organized by the Oxford International Center for Publishing and Journalism. The program brought together a delegation of 18 Ukrainian representatives, including university vice rectors, library directors, publishers, and officials from the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine.
During the week at Oxford Brookes University, participants engaged in discussions with leading academic publishers, including Taylor & Francis, Sage, Cambridge University Press, and Liverpool University Press. They also visited major publishers such as Oxford University Press, Princeton University Press, University College London Press, and Europe’s Ingram Content Group distribution and print-on-demand facility to learn best practices for university publishing and collaborations with academic institutions.
“This was an incredibly informative and inspiring week with Ukrainian and British colleagues,” Poliukhovych said.
The program also included a lecture on “Ukrainian literature from the medieval period to the present-day Russian war against Ukraine”, highlighting how Ukrainian writers preserved their language, traditions, and literary logic despite censorship, repression, and war. (January, 19-24, 2026, Oxford, UK)
The SUPRR project aims to strengthen Ukraine’s publishing sector, support academic dissemination, and help universities navigate challenges in producing and distributing scholarly work during the ongoing conflict.
Kyiv-Mohyla Academy Receives Funding for Fundamental Research
The National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy (NaUKMA) is among the universities whose projects were selected for funding of fundamental and applied research. The award of the 2025 research competition was announced by the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine.
The funded project, led by Dmytro Mazin, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities, is titled “Cognitive-Semiotic and Critical Analysis of Propaganda Narratives in International Public Discourse as a Means to Counter Russian Information Influence (Based on English-Language Websites of Russian Cultural Centers and Diplomatic Missions).” The project will be implemented with state budget support from 2026 to 2028.
NaUKMA congratulates Dmytro Mazin and his research team on this achievement, marking another important step in strengthening Ukraine’s scientific community and showcasing the university’s high research standards.