Happy Birthday, Ostroh Academy!

October 22, 2024

Every October, the National University of Ostroh Academy celebrates University Day.

Traditionally, this day began with a prayer service at the Academic Church of St. Fedir Ostrozkyi. 

The motivational lectures from Mykola Zhulynskyi, Andrii Karaush, Roman Vasylyshyn, Elijah Morgan, and Oleksandr Korniichuk served as a unique intellectual gift for the students, providing them with valuable insights and inspiration for their academic and personal growth.

The celebration of University Day was a testament to our strong community spirit, with a fair that included a charity auction, a 'Super-Bee' competition between institutes/faculties, and a heartwarming singing event, all bringing us together for a larger cause. 

Traditionally, dressed as a beekeeper, the esteemed acting rector, Doctor of Science (Psychology), Full professor, Ihor Pasichnyk, addressed the students with his heartfelt and respectful congratulatory words:

"In these thirty years, Ostroh Academy has travelled a glorious path and has become a leader in higher education in Ukraine. Our celebration today, as well as education and work in general, now exceptionally depends on the Armed Forces of Ukraine. We will continue on our glorious path, remembering those who died for independence. I sincerely hope our academic hive remains as friendly as ever and always gives rise to good, hardworking swarms. I wish everyone happiness, peace, and victory."

Students were also greeted by Oleksandr Koval, Head of the Rivne Regional State Administration; Andrii Karaush, Head of the Rivne Regional Council; and the newly elected rector of the NaUOA, Doctor of Science (Psychology), Full professor Eduard Balashov.

"'I sincerely congratulate you on today's holiday!' Ostroh Academy is the university that, in the 16th century, educated the nation's elite, leaders, and leaders. Modern Ostroh Academy is called to do the same. I urge you to live up to the title of student and alumnus of Ostroh Academy and to build the free, strong, independent country that we all want to see and dream of."

During the fair, the creative students of the university showcased their artistic works, sold treats and souvenirs featuring the university's symbols, and demonstrated their talents through dance performances and solo acts.

Later, a solemn ceremony took place to award certificates, acknowledgements, and valuable gifts to the university's faculty, staff, and students on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of its revival, as well as for many years of dedicated service for the benefit of the academy. The solemn academy marked the beginning of a series of events leading up to the 450th anniversary of the founding of the first institution of higher education in Eastern Europe. Also, Ruslana Kalamazh, the Vice-Rector for Education, Doctor of Science (Psychology), and Full professor, joined the ceremony and read the relevant orders.

During the solemn academy, Ihor Pasichnyk read aloud the names of all the employees who, unfortunately, have passed away but were part of the Ostroh Academy community, as well as recalled all members of the academic community who lost their lives during the Russian-Ukrainian War.

The President of Ostroh Academy, Ihor Pasichnyk, shared the story of the academy's revival and significant achievements and highlighted the university's challenges.

"Thirty years ago, our goal was to revive an institution of higher education that would be free from corruption, one that all of Ukraine could be proud of, and that would train leaders for our nation. We were the first in the country at that time to declare that we would shape our students' worldview based on the principles of Christian morality and Ukrainian national statehood. We were right. We went forward on our path, and there were various periods along the way. Still, we were constantly reassured that Ostroh Academy was not a human project but a project of God. We are grateful to the people whom God has sent to our university,"

Another event highlight was the acting rector's acknowledgements to those staff members who, alongside Ihor Demydovych, began reviving the university thirty years ago.

Among the honored guests at the event were: the Director of the T. H. Shevchenko Institute of Literature, Doctor of Science (Philology), Full professor, Full member (Academician) of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Ostroh Academy, academician of the Ostroh Academic Brotherhood, and Honorary Doctor of Ostroh Academy, Mykola Zhulynskyi; Head of the Rivne Regional State Administration, Oleksandr Koval; Head of the Rivne Regional Council, Andrii Karaush; the long-serving protector of the National University of Ostroh Academy, secretary of the Supervisory Board of Ostroh Academy, and Academician of Ostroh Academic Brotherhood, Roman Vasylyshyn; entrepreneur, philanthropist, General Director of PE "Company Autoland", and member of the Supervisory Board of Ostroh Academy, Stanislav Serediuk; Doctor of Economics and Theology, Honorary Professor of the Faculty of Economics at Ostroh Academy, Elijah Morgan; a representative of the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine in Rivne Region, Oleksandr Korniichuk; Deputy Chairman of the Rivne Regional Council, Vitalii Undir; Deputy Directors of the Department of Education and Science of the Rivne Regional State Administration, Maryna Pashkovska and Olena Poliukhovych; Mayor of Ostroh, Yurii Yahodka; and Doctor of Philology, senior researcher at the T. H. Shevchenko Institute of Literature, Ruslan Tkachuk.

"Ostroh Academy is one of the defining pages of our history, and it holds symbolic significance, as every nation in the world gains authority and knowledge about itself by being able to understand the culture of its people and the history of its formation. Ostroh Academy played a unique role in this regard. Currently, the future elite is studying here, and this is a guarantee that victory will be ours",

"We must shape our consciousness based on Ukrainian principles. I am confident that there is only the Ukrainian spirit at Ostroh Academy, as it represents a unique History of Ukraine, from Ostroh princes to the legendary rector who devoted his entire life to the university. The state is built on individuals, and Ostroh Academy has kept its philosophy; it has maintained its principles, thoughts, and uniqueness, and has not changed its direction as other universities have. You have always maintained your standards. Here, I see people who will build a new Ukrainian state, a new Ukrainian government,"

"Ostroh Academy is a concentrated expression that we will inevitably win this war against an unjust and treacherous enemy. Because you are creating our future. Ostroh Academy is a leader and an example of moral and spiritual education for our youth, setting this unprecedented institution apart from all others in Ukraine and Europe. After all, it's not just knowledge, but knowledge from the heart, for the soul, and knowledge grounded in values. Thanks to this, your alums are so successful and in demand in the job market. A big thank you for believing in Ihor Demydovych thirty years ago, as now Ukrainian history, knowledge, language, and science are at the forefront of the world, deserving of life and serving as the foundation of our state,"

"Thank you for the opportunity we have today to invest in the education of the renewed Ukrainian nation. Ostroh princes, with their immense wealth, initiated investments specifically in education. I am very pleased to be part of the great, historical, national Ukrainian educational culture,"

"Returning to the walls of Ostroh Academy is always a special feeling for me, as it has played a defining role in my life. I never separate myself from you; I always try to be close, sharing joy and sorrow. Ostroh Academy is where one always wants to return, remember their youth, and motivate students to stick together. Your role, knowledge, and patriotism will be greatly needed for our independent Ukraine",

"It is a great honour for me to be at Ostroh Academy. I have been to many universities around the world. Still, when I first visited your university, I felt something spiritually profound. I was thrilled to have a historical tour of the university in April this year and to learn how Ostroh Academy rose from the ruins and what it is today. It is an institution where not only the nation's intellect is formed, but also where its spirituality is developed,"

Guests of the event also had the opportunity to visit the exhibition "Ostroh Academy XVI-XXI: Cultural Images and Contexts" in the renovated space of the NaUOA art gallery, organised as part of the 'Culture in the Shelter' Project: the restoration of the underground art gallery at the National University of Ostroh Academy with the financial support of the Ukrainian Cultural Foundation.