On October 16, the National University of Ostroh Academy inaugurated its first cohort of Master's students in the unique interdisciplinary programme 'Global Communication Management,' fully covering all tuition costs.
The idea of launching this programme is rooted in the strategic vision of Vitalii Koval, Head of the Rivne Regional Association of Employers' Organisations, Deputy Chair of the Supervisory Board of Ostroh Academy, and Honorary Doctor of the NaUOA; Ihor Pasichnyk, Founding Rector and President of Ostroh Academy, Doctor of Science (Psychology), Full Professor; as well as Dmytro Shevchuk, Vice-Rector for Research and Teaching, Doctor of Science (Philosophy), Full Professor.
The celebratory day started with a prayer service at the Academic Church of St. Fedir Ostrozkyi, where prayers were offered for the successful commencement of the Master's students' studies in the 'Global Communication Management' programme.
"Today, more than ever, Ukraine needs loyal, dedicated, competent, and ethically grounded managers. Our distinguished Master's students are starting their studies to become leaders in the Ukrainian nation. They aim to enter various state institutions and contribute to the creation of a new, prosperous, and incorruptible Ukraine—one that has already showcased the greatness of its wisdom, self-sacrifice, and dedication,"
Following the prayer service, the solemn inauguration ceremony took place. The event opened with a minute of silence in tribute to the defenders, as well as civilians, who sacrificed their lives for the independence of Ukraine. We will never forget the names of the fallen alums, students and lecturers of Ostroh Academy.
"Ostroh Academy has a lofty and responsible mission. We are the only university to have declared its commitment to shaping its alums's worldview in line with the principles of Christian morality and Ukrainian state nationalism. We educate a pro-Ukrainian intellectual community. It is you who are called to join these ranks and to build the state that Ukrainians dream of and for which our soldiers are giving their lives on the front lines. Create an environment in which every member will proudly say, in any corner of our country, 'I am a Ukrainian,'"
Eduard Balashov, the Rector of Ostroh Academy, Doctor of Science (Psychology), Full Professor, mentioned:
"The launch of a new Master's degree programme at Ostroh Academy is a response to the needs of the modern world, which is rapidly changing and increasingly dependent on effective communication, on the ability to understand each other through language, culture, information, and trust. Global Communication Management is more than a profession; it is a vocation that requires systematic thinking, responsible actions, and the ability to guide others. Your task is to become the ones who will shape the future."
Andrii Karaush, Chairman of the Rivne Regional Council; Kostiantyn Kyryliuk, Acting Mayor of Ostroh; and Elijah Morgan, Doctor of Science (Economics and Theology), Honorary Professor of the Educational and Scientific Institute of Information Technology and Business of the NaUOA, also extended their congratulations to the newly inaugurated Master's students.
The guests presented the Master's students with grant award certificates for the interdisciplinary Master's degree programme, as well as books on the illustrious history of Ostroh Academy featuring congratulatory messages and signatures from the university leadership and the guests of the inauguration. The books were authored by Yaroslava Bondarchuk, Doctor of Sciences (Art History) and Full Professor of the NaUOA.
"Being the first cohort of Master's students in such a field is a historic event. The most important thing is that by taking the responsible step of enrolling in this programme, you have chosen your future in an independent Ukrainian state. Ukraine and the Rivne region are proud of Ostroh Academy, which not only provides knowledge but also instils values. Historical records and photographs will always preserve the names of those Ukrainian philanthropists who are already thinking about the future today by allowing you to become that future,"
“Students of Ostroh Academy are the elite of the Ukrainian nation. I believe that the knowledge you gain at university will definitely enable you to find a worthy place in life, achieve success and gain recognition,”
"I sincerely congratulate Ostroh Academy on its profound vision and its detailed, practice-oriented approach to addressing the challenges of globalised leadership. I also congratulate the Master's students of the programme, who today have received an extraordinary opportunity — to serve the Ukrainian nation at such a difficult time for the country,"
To celebrate the inaugural ceremony for the Master's students in this academic and professional programme, guests recorded their wishes for the students in a special faculty publication—the encyclopedia "Ostroh Academy." This significant work will be added to the Museum of the History of Ostroh Academy's collection.
Olha Shliakhova, the guarantor of the 'Global Communication Management' Educational Programme and PhD (Philosophy), noted:
“Thanks to Ostroh Academy and its philanthropists, a new philosophy of communication is emerging. Ukraine needs professionals able to articulate its national interests clearly and persuasively in the global arena. I assure you that we have already begun training such specialists.”
Shliakhova also read out a joint letter from the programme participants who were unable to attend the inauguration, as they are currently serving Ukraine:
"We are proud that this Master's degree programme has been established at Ostroh Academy, where the tradition of philanthropy in higher education was born, to shape a new generation of leaders — intellectuals with a global mindset and a Ukrainian heart.
We express our sincere gratitude to everyone who contributed to the creation of our programme — to our Alma Mater, its partners, international experts and programme reviewers, and, of course, to the philanthropists who made its launch possible. Thanks to your support, we have been able to study within a community of experts who are already shaping us into ambassadors of Ukrainian thought — professionals who know how to listen to others while preserving their own voice.
With tremendous gratitude and deep respect,
Your GCM-1 Master's students."
We are confident in the first cohort of the Global Communication Management Master's students, who will become intellectual patriots of their country, committed to building and strengthening it.
