A significant event took place at Bohdan Khmelnytsky National University of Cherkasy – the Educational-Scientific Institute of International Relations, History and Philosophy marked its 30^th anniversary.

On this occasion, a round table was organized, bringing together a wide circle of esteemed guests – partners, friends, and like-minded individuals. The event began with a tribute to the memory of those who lost their lives in the Russian-Ukrainian war, among whom were graduates of the institute.

Rector of Bohdan Khmelnytsky National University of Cherkasy, Oleksandr Cherevko, addressed the audience:

“The Institute unites a qualified teaching and research team – 14 Doctors of Sciences and 19 Candidates of Sciences. This is a powerful academic and educational community. The Institute serves as a centre for national-patriotic education, laying the foundation for socially significant initiatives and scientific research. It has sent the largest number of young people to the front to defend Ukraine, and we support them every day. Unfortunately, among our heroes, there are those who have fallen; we honour their memory.

Today, the Institute faces serious challenges. Ukraine needs to restore historical truth and rethink the national narrative. Until recently, we studied history through a distorted Moscow perspective. However, archaeological finds, archival materials, international sources, and ultimately scientific research all demonstrate that the history of Ukraine is an independent, unique field of knowledge. That is, it is not part of the history of the so-called “Mongol-Tatar yoke” or the “shared empire” imposed on us. Our past must not only be studied, but also defended, popularized, and taught. We must speak of the true heroes who fought for the independence of our country.

An important area of ​​the Institute’s work is international cooperation, because without access to European archives and foreign sources, it is difficult to fully restore the true picture of historical events.

I sincerely thank the scholars, including those who have led the Institute for three decades. I also thank students and alumni who proudly bear the title of BKNUC representatives. The Institute’s Alumni Association includes our friends and partners. I am grateful to the leadership of the Cherkasy Regional Military Administration, Cherkasy Regional and City Councils for their support of the university, and for the high appreciation of the work of our scholars, this is an additional incentive for their high-quality work. I believe that the Educational-Scientific Institute of International Relations, History and Philosophy has strong prospects for continued development!”

Deputy Head of the Cherkasy Regional State Administration, Oleksandr Shamrai noted in his greeting:

“The intellectual potential of the Educational-Scientific Institute of International Relations, History and Philosophy shapes a full-fledged academic space that influences not only the educational process, but also state-building, public, and international processes in the region and the country. Its graduates work in various fields: in international organizations, in the public service, in the educational sector. They hold leading positions in government and administration.

And most importantly, they remember their alma mater, often returning here, to their mentors, to the place where their personality and professional foundation were formed. Today, the Institute has a strong material and scientific base, developing such areas as history, philosophy, international relations, political science. Laboratories, scientific centres and creative research groups operate here. This indicates the scientific potential and significant importance of the Institute for our region.

I wish you further development, stability, and inspiration. May no challenges stop you – neither war nor demographic difficulties.

The Institute must be filled with youth – energetic, conscious, and purposeful!”

Roman Sushchenko, First Deputy Head of the Cherkasy Regional Council, highly praised the intellectual and academic potential of the Institute and outlined the key areas that, in his opinion, will determine the course of history in the coming years. According to him, these are artificial intelligence and demography.

“Today, in the era of technological breakthroughs, it is history, philosophy, and international relations that are of utmost importance in shaping the humanitarian foundations of artificial intelligence. Therefore, I urge you to actively participate in studying, understanding, and influencing this field. This is no longer the future – this is the present. And this is how the agenda of the world in which Ukraine will live is being formed.

The second area is demography. We must build a country where children are born, where families are formed, and love and responsibility for future generations prevail!”

On behalf of the city authorities of Cherkasy, Secretary of the Cherkasy City Council Yurii Trenkin congratulated the Institute on its anniversary. He presented a commemorative award to its team.

The Institute staff also received honorary certificates, awards, and acknowledgments from the Reactor, the Heads of the Cherkasy Regional Military Administration, the Regional Council, and the Cherkasy City Council.

Graduates and defenders of Ukraine, Dmytro Kukharchuk and Serhii Semenchenko, also congratulated their lecturers in video messages.

Representing the body of the university’s institute directors, Liudmyla Shvydka delivered a congratulatory address to the audience.

On behalf of the Institute’s Alumni Association, the Headmaster of Cherkasy Gymnasium No. 31, Serhii Shamara, expressed warm words of heartfelt gratitude.

Michal Šmigeľ, PhD in History, Professor at Matej Bel University in Banská Bystrica (Slovakia), sent a video greeting to Ukrainian colleagues.

As part of the roundtable, the Institute’s scholars presented their own research on the history of the Institute, its role in the life of the university, and key areas for promising academic studies.

Press Office of Bohdan Khmelnytsky National University of Ch