On April 9, 2026, Sumy State University was visited by the Honorary Consul of Ukraine in Tulsa (Oklahoma, USA), Karl Ahlgren.

The visit marked an important step in advancing academic diplomacy and expanding practical cooperation between Sumy State University (SumDU) and Oklahoma State University (OSU) – one of the leading higher education institutions in the United States.

The guest was welcomed by the university administration, including Acting Rector and First Vice-Rector Inna Shkolnyk, Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs Ivan Kozii, Head of the International Relations Office Alla Krasulia, Dean of the Faculty of Electronics and Information Technologies Yurii Volk, and Deputy Director of the Academic and Research Medical Institute Viktoriia Petrashenko.

The meeting was held in the format of an open dialogue and marked Karl Ahlgren’s third visit to Sumy. In February of this year, Sumy and Tulsa officially established sister-city relations. The cooperation is also aimed, among other areas, at strengthening partnerships in education. The Honorary Consul’s visit demonstrates his consistent support for the university and the region amid the full-scale war.

In her welcome remarks, Inna Shkolnyk emphasized the importance of international cooperation for the university’s development: "Today, Sumy State University is actively expanding its international horizons, and it is extremely important for us to have partners with whom we can not only exchange experience but also implement joint projects that have a real impact on society."

The history of cooperation between SumDU and OSU began in 2024. According to Alla Krasulia, the first steps were made through working meetings at the Sumy Regional Military Administration and with the support of the Consul General of Ukraine in Houston, Vitalii Tarasiuk. The first online meeting with representatives of the American university took place on October 29, 2024, and on January 23, 2025, the parties signed a Memorandum of Understanding, which established the legal framework for systematic cooperation.

The Memorandum provides for a wide range of activities, including academic mobility for faculty and students, joint research projects, participation in international grant programs, co-authored publications, and the development of virtual and hybrid formats of cooperation.

As Alla Krasulia noted, the partnership has long gone beyond formal agreements: "For us, international cooperation today is not only about education and research. It is about academic diplomacy, about staying connected to the world, and about building real human relationships. We see our partners not just as institutions, but as people who stand shoulder to shoulder with us here, just 20 kilometers from the front line."

During the meeting, the parties reviewed the results already achieved and discussed in detail the current areas of cooperation. At present, collaboration between the universities is developing across three key tracks.

The first is environment and sustainability, where researchers are working on environmental and food security issues, as well as the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals at the regional level.

The second is mental health, which is an especially sensitive area in wartime. The main focus is on supporting psychological well-being, particularly among children, and developing effective approaches to working under conditions of prolonged stress.

The third track covers engineering and technological solutions with practical applications for security, recovery, and development, combining innovation, digital technologies, and applied research. Within this track, joint working groups of researchers from both universities have already been established and are actively engaged in collaborative projects.

"These are no longer just ideas – these are real working groups involving researchers from both sides, with strong potential to develop practical solutions," emphasized Alla Krasulia.

Karl Ahlgren, in turn, highlighted the resilience of the university and its strong international engagement: "I am impressed that you are not only continuing your work, but also remaining internationally active. We share common values. My mission is to show American society the real picture of life in Ukraine. Despite the danger, your cities are alive, and your universities continue to develop. I will keep coming here as long as I can."

Particular attention during the meeting was given to the further development of the partnership, including expanding participation in international grant programs, deepening interdisciplinary research, and creating new opportunities for students and early-career researchers.

"The development of cooperation with Oklahoma State University has a significant impact not only on SumDU, but on the entire region. Engagement in joint research in the fields of environmental studies, healthcare, and innovation creates strong preconditions for the development of the Sumy region as a hub oriented toward sustainability, technology, and international integration," noted Ivan Kozii.

The visit of Karl Ahlgren once again confirmed that Sumy State University, even in times of war, remains a powerful center of knowledge, innovation, and international cooperation – transforming challenges into new opportunities for development and global partnership.