On 5 June 2024, the SumDU Congress Center hosted a presentation of the documentary film “Going Beyond: The Story of Evacuation of Foreign Students from Sumy (March 2022)”.

The events take place within tragic circumstances, at the beginning of a full-scale invasion, when about 2000 students from around the world remained in the city surrounded by the enemy. However, due to the university, government agencies, diplomatic missions, local authorities, and international humanitarian entities, the evacuation of students from Sumy to safe places was successfully organized.

At the presentation, Oleksii DROZDENKO (head of the Sumy City Military Administration), Olena BOIKO (deputy head of the Sumy Oblast Military Administration), Vasyl KARPUSHA (SumDU recotr), Yevhen KOVALENKO (deputy director of the SumDU International Education Department), and Rajiv GUPTA (CEO of the Kusum Group of pharmaceutical companies) shared their memories of the described events.

Vasyl KARPUSHA noted the responsible SumDU work. Everybody took care of students in the first invasion days; delivered food, water, and necessary items; communicated and assisted in evacuation. First of all, these are Yevhen KOVALENKO, Tetiana MAIBORODA, and Oksana VERNYDUB (university members).  Before the war, over 2000 foreign students from 55 countries studied at Sumy State University. “If we are honest and responsible to our students, if they see our readiness to help them in difficult situations, I am sure that the number of foreign students will gradually increase,” – said Vasyl KARPUSHA.

The viewers had an opportunity to hear real stories from the students themselves who had lived through these events. They talked about their experiences, emotions and support importance from university, local community, embassies, international organizations.

The foreign students as film protagonists believe in the Ukrainian victory and a quick return to normal life. Modh SAIF, a representative of India, expressed his wish that the war would end soon thanks to the efforts of the invincible Armed Forces of Ukraine. Motto Karim WAILUN (Tanzania) said: “I wish the university prosperity. Now, I am continuing my studies and I really want more students to come back here for knowledge. In my opinion, the education provided by Sumy State University is excellent”.

Presentation of the film “Going Beyond: The Story of Evacuation of Foreign Students” is a landmark event for the university. It not only reflects a significant part of its history, but also demonstrates the power of human spirit and the importance of mutual support and unity of people in the most difficult times.