On January 25, the National University of Ostroh Academy held a solemn Convocation-2025 Ceremony to award Master's diplomas to its graduates. The Educational and Scientific Institute of Linguistics, the Educational and Scientific Institute of Social and Humanitarian Management, I. Malynovskyi Educational and Scientific Institute of Law, the Educational and Scientific Institute of International Relations and National Security, the Faculty of Economics, and the Institute of Pre-entry, Correspondence and Distance Education conferred Master's diplomas on their graduates.
At the beginning of the event, all those present observed a moment of silence, a solemn tribute to the memory of our fallen soldiers. This significant pause, a mark of our deep respect, was dedicated to these heroes, who selflessly sacrificed their lives for Ukraine, and will forever be remembered and cherished.
In his welcome speech, the President of Ostroh Academy, Doctor of Sciences (Psychology), Professor Ihor Pasichnyk, stated:
"Today, you are receiving a Master's diploma from Ostroh Academy. It is a national brand recognised across Ukraine. Now, you must build the Ukraine that those who gave their lives for it once dreamed of. It is your calling. From today onward, you will have four mothers in your life. The first is the one who gave birth to you. The second is Ukraine, the country where you grew up and which now places its hopes in you. The third is the Holy Mother of God. And the fourth is your Alma Mater—Ostroh Academy. Wherever you go and whoever you become, never betray these mothers."
The Rector of Ostroh Academy, Doctor of Sciences (Psychology), Professor Eduard Balashov, stated:
"You are the ones who will preserve and enrich our national identity while integrating Ukraine into the global context. Your knowledge, moral resilience, and readiness for innovation will help overcome our society's challenges. Ostroh Academy will always remain your home, a source of inspiration and support. Your future achievements will be the greatest tribute to our Alma Mater. May your path be bright and your work be filled with inspiration for victory and rebuilding of an independent Ukraine!"
Honours diplomas were presented by the President of Ostroh Academy, Doctor of Sciences, Professor Ihor Pasichnyk, and the Rector of Ostroh Academy, Doctor of Sciences, Professor Eduard Balashov. The Vice-Rector for Academic and Educational Affairs, Doctor of Sciences (Psychology), Professor Ruslana Kalamazh, solemnly read the official order on awarding the Master's Degree with Honours.
Ihor Pasichnyk, Eduard Balashov, and the Deputy Head of the Rivne Oblast State Administration for Digital Development, Digital Transformation, and Digitalisation, Oleksandr Tereshchenko, gave diplomas of the standard format. The official orders on awarding the Master's degree were solemnly read by Inna Kovalchuk, the Director of the Educational and Scientific Institute of Linguistics; Maksym Karpovets, the Director of the Educational and Scientific Institute of Social and Humanitarian Management; Oleh Herasymchuk, the I. Malynovskyi Educational and Scientific Institute of Law Director; Olena Shershniova, the Director of the Educational and Scientific Institute of International Relations and National Security; Oleksandr Novoseletskyi, the Dean of the Faculty of Economics, and Olha Kostiv, leading specialist of the Institute of Pre-entry, Correspondence and Distance Education.
"A graduate of Ostroh Academy is a mark of quality. I thank your university for preparing such professionals. We are ready to cooperate with you to develop Rivne Oblast,"
A Master's Degree graduate of the Educational and Scientific Institute of Social and Humanitarian Management, specialising in Psychology, Anna Doroshсhuk, commented:
"I am confident that graduates of Ostroh Academy are the elite not just in words but in action, as we have worked hard to learn and grow here. That is why we also thank ourselves for being worthy of graduating from this remarkable institution! Ostroh Academy is a tradition that shapes the future. Proof of this lies in the hundreds and thousands of alums who serve the nation today, carrying forward the values instilled within these walls—honesty, competence, dedication, and humanity. I wish for each of us to be the kind of Ostroh Academy graduate who stands out even without a diploma. As a token of our graduating class, we are organising a fundraiser as part of our ongoing collaboration with OC West to send a vehicle filled with essential aid to soldiers on the Pokrovske front. We see it as our duty and honour to support those who have made today's ceremony possible. With deep faith, unwavering gratitude, and newfound resilience, we step into the future!"
A Master's Degree graduate of the part-time programme in International Relations, Public Communications, and Regional Studies, Oleksandr Zrum also delivered a congratulatory speech:
"Today, we took the graduate's oath of Ostroh Academy and became part of the intellectual elite. We are the future of our country, and we will proudly carry this honourable title—Master's graduate of the National University of Ostroh Academy."
We sincerely congratulate both full-time and part-time graduates on this significant milestone—the attainment of a diploma from the first institution of higher education in Eastern Europe. We wish you the strength to proudly carry the title of Ostroh Academy graduate—under a peaceful Ukrainian sky!
