Ostroh Academy Celebrated Its Birthday

Руслана Маринич

October 21, 2015

The celebration of the Day of The National University of Ostroh Academy was held on October, 21. This year, the first institution of higher education in Eastern Europe celebrated the 439th year since its foundation and the 21st since its Renaissance.

The celebration began with a solemn prayer in the teachers and students church after St. Fedor Ostrozkyi. Students, teachers and the staff of the university prayed not only for the prosperity of the university, but also for peace in Ukraine.

“It is not only important that our Academy is the oldest intellectual centre of Eastern Europe and Ukraine, but also that we are among the best in many areas. And how can it be otherwise if the rector of the university worries about us, the teachers come from distant cities to teach students, and students themselves after graduation also bring their families to study here? All this means a lot. We sincerely thank God for Ostroh Academy, for continued support that we feel every day”,

said the priest of the church Vasyl Zhukovskyi in a solemn prayer.

Then there was the opening of two unique exhibitions. The first was the exhibition of reconstruction of Ukrainian life of the early 20th century with exhibits, donated by the first President of Ukraine Leonid Kravchuk. The next exhibition was jointly organized with the charitable foundation “Platar. In memory of Serhyi Platonov”. Within the exhibition and educational project “The Ways of the Ancient World”, an exhibition “The World of Trypillia” was opened.

“Ukrainians think that they have nothing to be proud of. I do not agree with this, and the exhibition “The World of Trypillia” is nice evidence in my favour. We are not just a part of Europe, but of the world, and we do not need to prove it”,

said foundation spokeswomen, historian and tour guide Iryna Lipinska.

During the opening of two exhibitions the audience had an opportunity to observe the exhibits and to listen to many interesting stories from I. Lipinska and Rector of Ostroh Academy Ihor Pasichnyk.

During the official part of the celebration the best students and the staff of The National University of Ostroh Academy were traditionally rewarded with diplomas and gratitude for their achievements in the social, student and teaching areas, as well as in significant contribution to the development of the university. Also Rector Ihor Pasichnyk told about achievements of Academy of the year, and plans and prospects for the future.

“Despite everything, we continue a new building – we are in the process of building the Town Tower, which will be an attraction for tourists and true architectural masterpiece. I am sure that soon people will come to Ostroh to see new building of Ostroh Academy. The state does not allocate money to us, but we find them ourselves and continue construction. Today we started a project “The Mission of the Modern University” dedicated to the 440th anniversary of Ostroh Academy which will be celebrated next year. So we want to show the role of Ostroh Academy in the development of other higher educational establishments in Ukraine and in Eastern Europe in general. We hope that we will primarily involve our government in this discussion because the mission of the modern university in Ukraine should be clearly defined. Only then we can talk about the mission of the university in the world according to modern challenges. I have been convinced for a long time that if there is no motivation a man just goes off. For me, Ostroh Academy was, is and will be such a motive. The more you get to know about this cultural and educational phenomenon, the more you are imbued with the need to revive the glory of the history of Ostroh Academy. I am greatly inspired with people who work with me – my wonderful team. And, no doubt, with students ... When I look into their bright eyes awaiting positive changes, I try to make every effort to keep their hopes justified that after graduating Ostroh Academy they can build long-awaited Ukraine”,

said Rector of Ostroh Academy Ihor Pasichnyk.

In initiating discussion platform “The Mission of the Modern University” representatives of Ostroh Academy participated together with Violetta Moskalu, Ph.D., research investigator of University of Lotaryngia (France).

“We are always being told that Ukrainian universities have autonomy. How it is possible to say so, if everything – subjects, conditions of admission to the university, and the learning process – are defined by law from A to Z. If it has always been so, we would never have learned about Einstein, who got only “three” as school marks, but received the Nobel Prize. The University may affect personality and change it. In the present circumstances of our state universities many young people lose their chance of success only because at school they were something less interested in or some subjects were difficult to study. The importance of defining the mission of the modern university and determining its future format also depends on this”,

Ihor Pasichnyk said.

This year the Day of The National University of Ostroh Academy was celebrated without loud concerts and flash mobs, as it was previously. The reason was the difficult situation in Ukraine. However, this did not prevent students from arrangement of festive fair “Apiary”. There you could buy students’ hand-made things, as well as to taste various goodies. At the same time on campus you could meet and even take pictures with the students in costumes of bees which did not allow forgetting that all representatives of The National University of Ostroh Academy belong to one big hive.

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