Cool July day. I am standing nearby my native Lesya Ukrainka University! It is pleasing to the eye to watch smiling graduates around, taking pictures with their “fresh” diplomas. Rector Anatoly Tsos, as usual, is in the whirlwind of university life: business trips, communication with colleagues, awarding of diplomas, etc. But still, Anatolii Vasyliovych finds 10 minutes for a small flash interview. We sit down on a bench near the Alma Mater and start talking.
– Anatolii Vasyliovych, it will be relevant to start with a summarizing of the latest events in the life of the University and this academic year. I want to start with your trip to our Polish partners in the city of Częstochowa. Please tell us about the results.
– I am definitely satisfied with the trip to the Jan Dlugosz University in Częstochowa and the cooperation with this wonderful educational institution. The most important fact is that since 2016, the implementation of the “Double Diploma” program has been in progress. Currently, more than 15 specialties are involved in it. After completing the course of studies, students receive both Ukrainian and Polish diplomas. More than 200 students participated in this program. It was with great pleasure that I presented Certificates of Gratitude to the rector of Jan Dlugos University and the coordinators from the Polish side. In addition, we met with students studying there, talked with them, and heard their impressions. I am convinced that such cooperation, academic mobility, and implementation of the “Double Diploma” program are a very bright competitive advantage of our University as they manifest that we train high-quality specialists.
– I remember, when we summarized with you the results of the trip to the front line and the transfer of aid to our military, you mentioned that Polish colleagues also participated in collecting everything necessary. Did you have a chance to thank our partners personally?
– Certainly! The fact is that we constantly thank our partners verbally and prepare letters of thanks to foundations and institutions that participate in the collection and transfer of aid to our defenders. I personally thanked the Rector of the University Jan Dlugos. In addition, we expressed our gratitude to Friends of Ukraine Charitable Foundation and our French partners. We are very grateful and constantly in touch with our colleagues who join in collecting and sending aid to our Heroes and temporarily displaced persons. The war continues, so we will not give up and will aid the Armed Forces with even greater strength and inspiration.
– There was another event these days. You have visited our students who are doing their archaeological practice. How would you evaluate their work?
– It's no secret that a significant part of the educational process was online this year. Students studied the subjects remotely, so we tried to organize practice sessions in offline mode, either at enterprises or in the field conditions. I am satisfied that our historians have organized archaeological practice in the proper way. They organize learning and research activities in certain areas in accordance with all the requirements. We are one of the few universities in Ukraine that implements practical training in offline mode. I would like to emphasize that the University continues to work actively in the direction of dual education as this also improves the practical training of our students. We recently had a meeting at the Internet Devils company office. There, we awarded certificates of dual education to students majoring in Computer Science and Applied Linguistics. It is already the third ceremony of awarding such certificates. This form of education is developing effectively, and it is our University’s notable competitive advantage.
– We see smiling graduates all around us. Despite the difficult times, the University decided on the solemn ceremony of awarding diplomas. It signifies thanking them for their years at Lesya Ukrainka Volyn National University. The ex-students’ emotions and smiles prove that you have made the right decision by organizing such an event for them.
– It was the right decision! Receiving a diploma is a great event and very often, it happens only once in a lifetime. The graduation ceremony creates a sense of celebration, and we should not deprive our students of that. Of course, it must be done in compliance with all the necessary safety rules. Judging by the emotional atmosphere and positivity all around us, we succeeded!
– The opening of the laboratory of simultaneous translation and multimedia shooting range are two more important events in the life of Lesya Ukrainka Volyn National University. Why do you pay so much attention to improving the material and technical base, despite the circumstances?
– Creating comfortable conditions for our students is a task of top priority for us. The material base is an important factor in quality education. In view of the above, we have recently opened a wonderful simultaneous translation laboratory for specialists in foreign philology. Students of other specialties will also work there. In addition, a few days ago, we opened a multimedia shooting range. I think that this will also contribute to the level of professional competence of our students.
– At the end of our conversation, I will ask you to summarize briefly the results of this academic year. What makes it special for Lesya Ukrainka University?
– It is not an easy task to do it briefly. It was a very complicated academic year owing to the pandemic and the war, but the University did its best to provide quality education. We have taken a clear civil position regarding the protection of Ukraine and support of our Armed Forces and temporarily displaced persons. And this is very important too. We tried to combine online learning and students' practical activities. I hope that in September, we will start the educational process in offline mode.
Andrii MOSHKUN conducted the interview
Photo by Dmytro BAIDA
