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Dear colleagues, students, graduates, partners, friends!
The passing year was full of challenges for our university, the country and the world. Despite all the difficulties, we remain united, strong, purposeful, successful. And we had a lot of positive news during these 365 days.
A landmark event is the SumDU anniversary. 75 years since its establishment are 75 steps of success. With the new year, we start a new countdown of history. Let us single out the achievements with which we are finishing 2023.
Firstly, replenishment of the student community. For the third year in a row, more and more school graduates are choosing Sumy State University. I am sincerely grateful to applicants for their trust. This is the highest award for us. The quality of specialist training is officially confirmed by the successful accreditation of 28 educational programs. From the next year, the case of specialties will be supplemented by a new direction – “Law Enforcement”.
Research income on the order of domestic and foreign partners is increasing. The total amount of funding is 125 million UAH, which is one of the largest indicators among higher education institutions in Ukraine.
This year, international achievements became a record. Currently, the university is implementing 40 Jean Monet projects under the EU Erasmus+ program, 13 of them will be awarded in 2023. 4 projects are under the Horizon-Europe and Horizon-2020 programs. A powerful project we have with the University of Liverpool. Within the Twinning Initiative, that provides financial support of 17.5 million UAH. This year, for the first time, Sumy State University officially joined 3 Alliances of European Universities.
2023 is the year of incredible success of our athletes. The 1st place in the Winter and the 2nd place in the Summer Universiade among all higher education institutions of Ukraine. 333 students became prize-winners of international and all-Ukrainian competitions. We are proud of your achievements!
Our young talents took part in 27 all-Ukrainian and international art festivals, 184 of them won the title of laureates. Sincere gratitude to our students for their active volunteer, social and creative activity!
The city-forming university role is strengthening. We are actively developing cooperation with territorial communities. In particular, SumDU has founded a Veteran Development Center.
Our team became the founder and active partner of the Alliance of Ukrainian Universities. Therefore, Sumy State University is a reliable educational and scientific outpost of the northeast of Ukraine.
The university confirmed its success and efficiency by improving its position in international rankings. In particular, it is included in the top 401-500 of the best HEIs in the world. Besides, It is top 1 in Ukraine according to the Times Higher Education World University Rankings. Sumy State University was noted for its high results in Webometrics, QS World University Rankings, UI GreenMetric, SciMago Institutions Rankings.
All this became possible thanks to the dedication and solidarity of people who want to change the university together with the country!
The enemy will not be able to take away the light of our souls, the warmth of our hearts, and the bright feeling of Christmas and New Year holidays. I am sincerely grateful to the Armed Forces of Ukraine, who courageously, selflessly and sacrificially defend Ukraine. Due to indomitable defenders, we have the opportunity to meet quiet dawns in cozy homes, realize personal dreams, rejoice in the successes of our relatives, build professional plans together with colleagues and fulfill our educational and scientific mission. Let the courage and will of our defenders help defeat the aggressor as soon as possible!
I wish all of us stability of spirit, optimism, strength and inspiration, reunification of happy families.
We gather, we work, we win!
Happy New Year 2024!
Rector of Sumy State University
Vasyl KARPUSHA