On 5 December 2025, an event on the occasion of the International Volunteer Day was held at the St. Nicholas Residence. Students, activists, local authorities and SumDU leadership joined the event.

The International Volunteer Day is an important holiday for SumDU because its students are traditionally active participants in the charity movement. It was volunteers who were repeatedly the first to aid in difficult situations. They eliminated the consequences of enemy strikes, supported victims and contributed to university and city development.

The festive atmosphere was created by musical greetings from SumDU students Daryna RUBAN (IFSK) and Vira BARDAKOVA (BiEM).

Olena KIRIEIEVA (deputy head of Sumy Oblast State Administration) and Viktoriia VERBYTSKA (head of the Youth Policy Department of Sumy City Council) greeted the participants.

Vasyl KARPUSHA (SumDU rector) emphasized the important role of the student volunteer movement.

“Today, the word “volunteer” is a symbol of selflessness and a big heart. Your activities are a powerful hope for those who need support. I thank each of you for the incredible power of good. I am sincerely proud that a generation of patriots is growing up within the walls of our university, who care about fate of people. It is thanks to you that SumDU is strong, and Ukraine is invincible,” – noted Vasyl KARPUSHA.

He also thanked volunteers abroad who provide significant support to the university.

The rector awarded active volunteers of SumDU with certificates of appreciation:

• Diana KARTASHEVA (TeSET)
• Elyzaveta SHALOMIEIEVA (ElIT)
• Roman KONDRATENKO (ElIT)
• Nikita DOBRODUMOV (ElIT)
• Andrii MYKHAILENKO (ElIT)

Also, representatives of the volunteer unit “Vira” (Kateryna KLYMENKO, Yuliia DOROSHKEVYCH, Anna ZYMOHLIAD) received acknowledgements.

Myroslava ZHURENKO, Anna KOBYLETSKA and Sofiia KARPENIUK (SumDU trade union representatives) were awarded with appreciation from the youth policy department.

“The SumDU POS is only developing. We have many plans ahead: a charitable Christmas nativity scene, new projects and cooperation with volunteer organizations of city, oblast and Ukraine. We are always open to students’ proposals and greatly appreciate their initiative. Our goal is to show that volunteering can be fun, useful and inspiring,” – said Myroslava ZHURENKO.

SumDU congratulates its volunteers and wishes them inspiration, strength and even more grateful hearts!