Sumy State University Academic Council awarded Professor Dipra Jha (the USA) the title "Honorary Doctorate"

The honorary title “Honorable Doctorate of Sumy State University was awarded to Professor Dipra JHA, Washington State University (USA), by the decision of the Academic Council of Sumy State University at its meeting on 9 November. Professor Dipra is Associate Dean for Equity and Inclusion – Inclusive Pedagogy, Scholarly Associate Professor & Fulbright specialist.  

Sumy State University, together with Professor Dipra Jha, began implementing COIL - Collaborative Online International Learning program in Ukraine in 2019. Since then, programs of such international virtual academic exchanges of undergraduate and postgraduate students, as well as virtual professional development programs for lecturers, have been actively implemented in the educational process of Sumy State University in various study programs. An example is the Global Virtual Class "International Business and Global Leadership", held every semester in conjunction with the O. Balatskyi Department of Management at the Institute of Business, Economics & Management. This project is a sustainable cooperation between Sumy State University and Washington State University. It provides opportunities for students of both universities, with the engagement of other foreign partner universities (such as Colombia, Nigeria, Mauritius, Kosovo, Georgia, UAE, etc.), to learn from the best experts and speakers from around the world, communicate in one virtual classroom and gain intercultural experience in a world without boundaries. 

Professor Dipra joined the Academic Council meeting online and, in his speech, expressed sincere gratitude to the University for awarding him the honorary title, emphasising how enormously valuable this award is for him, and noted the symbolism of the fact that the title of "Honorary Doctorate" is awarded to him in the year of the 75th anniversary of Sumy State University. 

 “SumDU holds a very special place in my heart. I first visited your University in 2019 and was overwhelmed by the kindness and hospitality that was extended to me by the professors, students, and anyone else I met. From virtual exchange classes that began with Professor Hanna Shvindina and continue till today with Associate Professor Tetyana Mayboroda, to joint conference presentations and faculty development programs, I feel blessed to partner with SumDU in so many ways. Most importantly, the work we are doing is helping our students at both universities to learn together, connect with each other, and become good citizens and globally competent professionals. I know that today you and your beautiful country are going through challenging times. However, as I watch Ukraine and its people from a distance, I am in awe of your determination and resilience to keep moving forward. I pray this too shall pass. And as Ukraine emerges better and stronger from this conflict, I know SumDU will lead the way in knowledge and innovation in Ukraine and beyond”.

Professor Dipra Jha is a true partner and ambassador of Sumy State University, thanks to whom the University is constantly expanding the network of international partnerships and opportunities for students and faculty, and his contribution to the methodology of implementing COIL programs is precious and more relevant than ever in present challenging times.  

The whole team of Sumy State University sincerely welcomes Professor Dipra Jha to the cohort of Honorary Doctorates of our University, expresses deep gratitude for the support, which is especially valuable in this difficult time, and hopes for further successful cooperation!