Larysa Marushko, the dean of the Faculty of Chemistry, Ecology, and Pharmacy of Lesya Ukrainka Volyn National University, has been working at the University for almost 30 years.
In summer, a hot season for educational institutions, the time of the admission campaign, and the struggle for a student, we decided to talk to the head of the faculty. She agreed on a mini-interview concerning the University, the faculty, teachers, students, the educational process, and the activities of the structural unit in general. The conversation was not short and lasted a little longer than the lunch break, but it was very interesting. This is natural for a person who lives and cheers for the cause to talk about work non-stop.
So read about the faculty of Chemistry, Ecology and Pharmacy, its students and teachers, and their achievements. The conversation will also be interesting for applicants, because Larysa Petrivna spoke in detail about the specialties of the faculty and the advantages of studying there.
– Larysa Petrivna, at the beginning of our conversation, will you tell us about the faculty you head, the number of students, and the teaching staff (especially professors).
– Our faculty was founded in 1993. Then it was called the Faculty of Chemistry. Later, the department of Ecology and Environmental Protection joined us, but the number of students was small, and we faced the necessity of moving forward. In 2018, we licensed a new specialty “Pharmacy”. This allowed us to keep the faculty afloat. Now, we train students of higher education at three educational levels. At the bachelor’s level, we have educational programs in “Chemistry”, “Secondary education. Chemistry”, “Chemical technologies and engineering”, and “Ecology”.
Students majoring in “Pharmacy” receive a Master’s degree after graduation. Admission to this educational program is carried out on the basis of complete general secondary education (term of study 5 years) or on the basis of the educational and qualification level of “junior specialist”, educational professional degree “professional junior bachelor”, and educational degree of Bachelor (term of study 4 years).
Master’s training on the basis of the Bachelor's degree (term of study – 1 year and 4 months) is available for the “Chemistry” and “Ecology” educational programs.
The Ph.D. degree in Chemistry is awarded to those whose research is conducted in the framework of the scientific program «Synthesis and research of the properties of the inorganic and organic substances». Admission to the postgraduate course is on the basis of the Master's degree or a 'Specialist' educational qualification level (term of study – 4 years).
Currently, 230 students study at the faculty to gain a Bachelor's degree. After the «winter» graduation, we have 6 masters and 5 post-graduate students, two of whom are foreigners. They are Alrikiq Muhammad Amhimmid Ibrahim, a Libyan citizen, and Kaddour Bellaga, from Algeria.
We have a highly-qualified teaching staff. The educational process at the faculty is ensured by 2 Doctors of Science, professors; 3 Candidates of Science, professors; 18 Candidates of Sciences, Associate Professors; 3 Candidates of Sciences without an academic title.
– What specialists do you train? What are the job prospects for students?
– Traditionally, graduates who studied in the educational program «Secondary education. Chemistry» can work as teachers in schools and at the institutions of extracurricular education. Accordingly, ecologists are employed in the field of ecology, environmental protection, and balanced nature management. They may work as nature protection inspectors or specialists in environmental control at customs.
Graduates who completed the «Chemistry» educational program work in the field of chemistry or chemical research, chemical analysis, control and synthesis; chemical, pharmaceutical, oil-gas, food, and agrochemical technologies; biotechnology; chemical ecology and environmental control, and forensics.
Having obtained the qualification of a specialist in chemical technologies and engineering, our graduates apply their professional skills to solve complex specialized tasks and practical problems related to the development, production, research, and/or certification of chemicals, materials, and products based on including relevant technological processes.
Our specialists are in demand. They are employed at enterprises of Volyn and neighboring regions. If we talk about Lutsk, the graduates from our faculty work at enterprises «Torchyn-produkt», «Modern-expo», «Runa», and many others.
Pharmacist graduates are employed in pharmacies, pharmacy offices, and pharmaceutical enterprises. Their professional activities include consultative and communicative, organizational, technological, control and analytical, administrative-economic (managerial), research functions, determining the safety, effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of pharmacotherapy, monitoring the need for medicinal products and other products of the pharmacy assortment, organization of their supply; provision of modern technology for the development and manufacture of medicines according to prescriptions and requirements of health care institutions; acceptance, storage and sale of medicinal products, implementation of quality control of medicinal products; implementation of pharmaceutical care; conducting advertising and informational work, observing the principles of pharmaceutical ethics and deontology.
– Do you interact with your alumni after graduation?
– Yes, we maintain close relations with our graduates. We have an Association of Faculty Graduates headed by Yaroslav Romaniuk. Yaroslav Evgeniiovych received his PhD in Chemistry in Switzerland where he heads the research group «Photocells» at the Laboratory of Thin Films and Photovoltaics at the Swiss Federal Laboratory of Materials Studies and Technology. He often comes to us with lectures and helps in conducting research, since he has better access to the research base. Under his leadership, the alumni association works actively. Graduates take an active part in the improvement of educational programs. The faculty organizes meetings of students with famous graduates who share the experience of the career growth.
Every year, on the initiative of the Graduates Association, a competition for the best textbook, monograph, methodical support of the educational discipline, video lecture, and the best student scientific work is held for teachers. The winners of such contests receive prizes. The colleagues of the faculty systematically monitor the employment of graduates, most of whom successfully work in their profession at enterprises in Lutsk, Volyn region, other regions of our country, and even abroad, namely, in Slovakia, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, and Canada. We have graduates who work at the O.O. Chuika Institute of Surface Chemistry at the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, the Institute of Chemistry of High Molecular Compounds at the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, the Institute of Organic Chemistry at the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, and the V. I. Vernadskyi Institute of General and Inorganic Chemistry at the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine.
Information about famous graduates is constantly updated on the faculty page of the university website. We are constantly in touch with our graduates. They are part of the academic council of the faculty and groups for providing effectiveness of educational programs, etc.
– It seems that some specialties are more popular among students than others. Why?
– In general, it is the case in Ukraine that the specialties in the subject area of Health care are in greater demand. We always have a lot of people willing to study in the «Pharmacy» educational program.
The specialties «Chemistry» or «Secondary education. Chemistry», «Chemical Technologies and Engineering», «Ecology» are not so popular and need special support.
Perhaps, some kind of complex is developing at the school, since there are few hours of Chemistry, not all children understand the discipline, and it is impossible to memorize without understanding. We start training our students with the basics. We have an optional course where you can get basic knowledge of chemistry. Since the groups are small, teachers have the opportunity to work with each student individually and bring them to the required level.
– How is the implementation of the «Double Diploma» program organized at the faculty? Do you support a dual education?
– In 2019, with the active support of Anatolii Tsos, a cooperation agreement on conjoint education was signed with the Jan Dlugos University of Humanities and Natural Sciences in Częstochowa. Students of the «Chemistry» educational program who study in Poland in the specialization «Chemistry of Medicines» took advantage of this opportunity. It provides additional perspectives for them. Students of the «Ecology» educational program combine their studies with the «Biotechnology» specialty. That is, students simultaneously receive two diplomas in different specialties. The colleagues in Częstochowa are going to open «Pharmacy» specialty there. We hope that our students-pharmacists will also be able to study abroad.
Thirty-seven students study under the double-degree program. Our students also participate in the program aimed at introducing elements of a dual form of education into the educational process.
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On October 3, 2020, an inter-institutional agreement was signed between Lesya Ukrainka University and Saarland University (Saarbücken, Germany) concerning academic mobility within the Erasmus+ program. The coordinator of the program is Nataliia Slyvka. It is designed until 2023 and is valid for students and teachers of the department of Organic Chemistry and Pharmacy.
This academic year, students of the «Pharmacy» educational program Olha Borysiuk, Anastasia Lyndiuk, and Zoriana Petruk participated in the program.
– For an outsider, chemistry is commonly associated with laboratories, experiments, and discoveries. How is scientific research activity organized at the faculty, and what are the achievements?
– There are three departments on the faculty: the department of Chemistry and Technologies, the department of Organic Chemistry and Pharmacy, and the department of Ecology and Environmental Protection. Each of them conducts research in several scientific areas.
Department of Chemistry and Technology has developed a scientific school of Professor Olekseiuk which is engaged in the study of phase equilibria in complex chalcogenide and halide systems, the crystal structure of ternary and tertiary phases, the technology of crystal growth of complex chalcogenides and halides, the synthesis of vitreous alloys and composites, and the study of the properties of new chalcogenides and halides.
The representatives of this school found a large number of tetra compounds, established the limits of solid solutions, and synthesized glassy substances. Many of these substances have unique properties, allowing us to recommend them for practical use in electronic engineering, optoelectronics, and nonlinear optics.
AgGaGeS4, AgGaGe3Se8, and AgCd2GaS4 compounds are promising nonlinear optical materials. Technology for obtaining single crystals of industrial size has been developed for them.
In general, over the entire period of the scientific school's existence, the technology for obtaining single crystals of more than 50 complex chalcogenides and halides has been developed, and more than 500 new compounds, solid solutions, and glass-like alloys obtained.
Over the 35-year period of the scientific school functioning in Volyn, the scientific research carried out with the direct participation and under the supervision of Ivan Olekseiuk resulted in the publication of 9 monographs, more than 1300 scientific papers publication, and numerous patents. During the existence of the school, more than 30 candidate and doctoral dissertations have been defended.
The scholars of the Department of Chemistry and Technology participate in the implementation of such state-budget scientific projects as «Optical-spectral properties of RZM-containing chalcogenides» and «Effective materials for semiconductor technology using chalcogenides and metal halides».
Scientific and pedagogical staff of the faculty publishes the results of their research in specialized publications of Ukraine and in journals, indexed in the scientometric databases Scopus and Web of Science. In the annual rating of the university, the teachers of the faculty stand high in the rating indicators. In the top ten of the teachers' rating evaluation list (the year 2021) are Professor Kormosh Zholt Oleksandrovych (3rd place), Professor Olekseiuk Ivan Dmytrovych (9th place), and Lyudmyla Vasylivna Piskach (10th place).
The faculty closely cooperates with the Volyn branch of the Small Academy of Sciences. The results of such cooperation are prizes won by the students of the sections «Chemistry», «Ecology», «Forestry», «Environmental protection and rational use of nature» at regional, all-Ukrainian and international contests of students' scientific works.
Among the winners, Anastasia Yukhymchuk, a student of the Mykhailo Kravchuk Lutsk Lyceum No. 21, who presented her scientific work performed under the supervision of Slyvka Nataliia Yuriivna, the head of the Department of Organic Chemistry and Pharmacy, at some international competitions and won prizes: Sahasak Nimavum 2021 (gold medal), International Young Invention Awards 2021 (gold medal), International Warsaw Invention Show (bronze medal), Indonesia Inventors Day 2021 (gold medal).
Maria Kotiuk, a student of the same gymnasium, presented a scientific work performed under the guidance of Oksana Semenivna Muzychenko, associate professor of the Department of Ecology and Environmental Protection, and received prizes at the following international competitions: the International Technology Exhibition in Malaysia (Malaysia Technology Expo 2022), gold medal; International Festival of Engineering Science and Technology in Tunisia (International Festival of Engineering Science and Technology in Tunisia 2021), silver medal.
The material base of the faculty is sufficient to meet the needs of scientists and students. There are 18 educational and scientific laboratories equipped with all the necessary equipment. It is true that some of the devices and equipment need updating, but we hope that we will gradually solve these problems and improve.
There is also a computer room and 2 lecture halls that provide conditions for research. There is a student scientific society at the faculty. Student scientific and problem-solving workshops function effectively, and students participate in Ukrainian and international scientific conferences.
– Please tell us about the achievements of students and teachers of the faculty in other fields.
– Our students are versatile and active, which is typical for this age.
Artem Kopna, a student of the «Chemical Technologies and Engineering» educational program, is a member of the youth patriotic movement «Foundation of the Future». He was awarded a Certificate of Appreciation from the Lutsk District Police Department for his active civic position and for ensuring security and order. He is currently at military service in the Armed Forces.
A student of the specialty «Secondary education; Chemistry» Andrii Korzhov participated in the All-Ukrainian Art Competition Future Generation. For two years in a row, the student participated in the competition as an amateur vocalist and won 2nd place, twice. At the all-Ukrainian arts festival «Kyiv Fest», he took first place in the pop music category.
Students of the faculty take an active part in the organization and conducting of the events at the faculty and university-wide events, in particular those dedicated to the birthdays of Lesya Ukrainka and Taras Shevchenko, etc.
Another niche occupied by students of our faculty is the patronage of the Rozhishche educational and rehabilitation center for children with musculoskeletal disorders. Our students visit the center with performances and games, and on the eve of St. Nicholas Day, they come to the children with gifts.
Of course, the student self-governing is the engine of life at the faculty. The activity of it is aimed at defending the rights and interests of students, nurturing their leadership qualities, and organizing leisure time. In symbiosis, teachers and students manage to diversify the faculty's everyday life and make the learning process interesting and rich.
Talking about the results of the teaching staff work, I would emphasize that recently, we have received a decision from the National Agency for Quality Assurance of Higher Education on the successful accreditation of two Bachelor's programs: «Chemistry» and «Secondary education. Chemistry» which is valid for 5 years.
Professor of the Department of Chemistry and Technology Inna Ivashchenko works as a visiting professor from April 1 to September 30, 2022, at the Krakow University of Technology at the Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Technology.
– Will current events (the war that entails environmental problems, etc.) lead to a growth of interest in environmental specialties? Do you suppose any special support from the state?
– The war in Ukraine will lead to serious consequences not only regionally, but also on a global scale.
Pollution of air, water, and land resources with dangerous substances, destruction of forests, forest fires, radioactive pollution, catastrophic increase in waste as a result of the ruined industrial facilities and residential buildings – this is far from a complete list of problems that we will have to solve after the end of hostilities.
The list of problems can be supplemented the possibility of the infectious, the spread which can be caused by the lack or absence of clean water, a sharp increase in wild domestic animals that can become a source of rabies, etc.
Altogether, the consequences of destructive actions on nuclear energy facilities and on the territory of infrastructure facilities of the Chornobyl NPP Exclusion Zone, chemical and petrochemical, metallurgical industry facilities, the destruction of sewage treatment facilities, the destruction of engineering facilities for water intakes and drinking water purification, land contamination by destroyed military equipment, improper burial in the territories where hostilities or occupation are taking place, natural territories and landscapes, territories of settlements, and agricultural lands violation by explosions and fires will lead to pollution of all components of the environment: atmospheric air, surface water bodies (rivers, lakes, reservoirs, seas) and groundwater, soil, natural complexes, and landscapes, and disruption of the entire ecosystem affected by this pollution, significant damage to flora, fauna, biodiversity in general.
Environmentalists can and should solve these problems. We hope that the authorities will understand the importance of the role of ecologists during the reconstruction of Ukraine, and we count on government’s support in terms of providing budgetary admission possibilities to higher education institutions.
It was before the war that the Ministry of Education and Science deprived the specialty «Ecology» of the priority. Perhaps in the current situation, this decision will be changed. We really hope for support from the state.
At the same time, the recovery of our country's economy also requires specialist-chemists and chemistry teachers.
– The faculty has been actively involved in volunteering since the full-scale war began. We all know that the faculty concocted special ointments for the military. How did the idea arise, and how effective is this activity? Are you still doing this? Perhaps there are some other types of volunteering?
– Faculty representatives joined the volunteer movement to help the Armed Forces of Ukraine. They collect necessary things, food staff, and hygiene products for soldiers, weave camouflage capes for snipers, the so-called «kikimory», and collect funds.
The teachers of the faculty work in the «Patrons for a Soldier» volunteer center.
Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, a center for the production of ointments and other substances, which we deliver to the Armed Forces, has been operating at the faculty. We asked for help with raw materials and doing the work via social media, and people actively got involved. Among them are teachers, employees and students of the University, the residents of Lutsk and Volyn region.
After February 24, the teaching staff and students of our faculty decided to join a volunteer movement, producing ointments for the military. At the meeting of the Academic Council of the university, I announced such a proposal. The rector and colleagues supported me. And within 2–3 days we started. Not only specialists can work on the production of ointments, but people are also needed to prepare containers and raw materials.
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Our center makes about 50 different types of ointments: antifungal and antiseptic, to cure calluses, wound healing, joint pain, burns, cracks, bruises, etc. Our defenders are grateful for such a necessary product.
– Is there a risk that the «Pharmacy» educational program, which stands at the intersection of chemistry and medicine, will «move away» from your faculty with the establishment of the medical faculty?
– There are different rumors about this. We talked about it with the rector. He understands and supports us. If the chemistry is the foundation, then pharmacy is the superstructure. At one time, the «Pharmacy» specialty helped to maintain that foundation. We don't want everything that we created with so many efforts to dissipate. Besides, our scientific chemistry school very is very important for the rating of the university as a whole.
Pharmacist-students take the «KROK» integrated test exam after the 3rd and 5th years of studies. «KROK-1» in the 6th semester is actually a pass to the student's further studies.
This exam includes a number of academic subjects, most of which are chemical ones. And by providing pharmacist-students with deep knowledge, particularly in chemical disciplines, we ensure that students can successfully pass the «KROK-1» exam.
Last year, our students demonstrated a 100 % success in this exam. Few educational institutions can boast of such a result. Students who were expelled from other universities came to us. We reinstate the students from other Ukrainian universities who were expelled after failing the KROK-1 exam.
– Do they improve?
– Of course. Vadym Ulianov, the vice-rector for scientific and pedagogical work and innovations, who has experience in this field, helped us a lot in this. On his advice, we purchased all test collections and created an electronic database of tests. Teachers in their classes help students to solve tests dosed. In addition, students may take tests at home or in a computer class, that is why we have so good results.
– Before the start of the admissions campaign, a question is asked about the benefits of studying at the Faculty of Chemistry, Ecology, and Pharmacy. Why should an applicant choose your faculty, what are the perspectives?
– First of all, I want to tell applicants that our specialties are promising because most of our graduates work in their specialty. Many employers, who are looking for employees among students, turn to us. They find them at our faculty. In such cases, we support our students. We are sure that, if a student in his senior year works part-time in his specialty, he improves his knowledge and acquires practical skills.
Since we do not have many students, they all receive special care and attention from teachers. In general, the atmosphere at the faculty is pleasant and friendly. The opinion of each student is critical to us, and we take it into account to improve the educational process. The university authorities support us greatly in improving the material and technical base.
– To end our conversation, I would like to ask a question: What do the faculty and the University, in general, mean for you?
– The faculty is the place where I have been working since 1994. Here I prepared and defended my thesis. I have never thought of the position of a dean, but now I feel great responsibility for both students and faculty staff. The university is not only a place where I work - it gave me a powerful impetus for personal development.
Andrii PETRUSHKO conducted an interview
Photo by Dmytro BAIDA
