For 1,700 first-year students of Bohdan Khmelnytsky National University of Cherkasy, the 2026–2027 academic year began with a symbolic digital launch on University Square. On 1 September, the university marked the start of its 106^th year and its fifth year amid Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

The ceremonial event began at 9:00 a.m. with a nationwide minute of silence, during which those present honoured the memory of those who lost their lives fighting for the freedom and independence of Ukraine. To the strains of the National Anthem of Ukraine, representatives of the Student Council raised the flags of Ukraine and BKNUC.

The festive atmosphere was enhanced by the dance performance “Rushnyky”, presented by the Cherkashchanka Folk Ensemble.

Knowledge Day was a special occasion for the first-year students who joined the university family this year. The BKNUC community welcomed its new students with loud applause, while the flags of the university’s institutes and faculties were raised.

Oleksandr Shamrai, Deputy Head of the Cherkasy Regional Military Administration, addressed those gathered with words of welcome and wished the young people resilience, inspiration, and outstanding academic achievements.

“We are proud that young people are staying in Ukraine, that their parents support them in this choice, and that they have the opportunity to pursue their education right here so they can contribute to rebuilding our country. It is encouraging to see the number of applicants in the Cherkasy region growing and young people choosing fields of study that are in high demand in Ukraine today. Unfortunately, this is already the fifth year we have been fighting the enemy, and I am grateful to the BKNUC family for helping to bring our victory closer through its initiatives. I wish the first-year students a successful and victorious academic year. We thank the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Glory to Ukraine!”

Yevhenii Kyryliuk, Acting Rector of BKNUC, congratulated the entire academic and student community on the beginning of the new academic year. Together with the Student Council, he led a symbolic countdown to the start of the educational process, inviting those present to take part in the interactive launch via a QR code.

“Looking at this chorus of voices, at our first-year students, I am convinced: we cannot be defeated, we cannot be overcome; together, we are strong,” he told those gathered on University Square. “1 September at the university is always a special and exciting day. Faculty members return to their usual rhythm, while first-year students become students of the renowned Bohdan Khmelnytsky National University of Cherkasy for the very first time. I am sure that you will remember this day for the rest of your lives. Today, we are holding this event, studying and teaching thanks to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. We thank every defender of Ukraine for giving us the opportunity to work, dream, and achieve our goals. We honour the memory of those who gave their lives for Ukraine. I would like to thank our academic staff for proving once again that Ukrainian education and science will endure. Dear first-year students, you are the ones making history. The university opens up new opportunities for you – in education, research, volunteering, creative pursuits, student initiatives, and self-governance. We will teach you to set ambitious goals and achieve them. Make mistakes, but keep moving forward. Start again – and you will gain confidence, because here, at Bohdan Khmelnytsky National University of Cherkasy, you will find a space for freedom, confidence, and creativity. I would like to thank your parents for entrusting us with what matters most – the future of their children. My heartfelt congratulations on Knowledge Day!”

The celebrations concluded on a high note with a performance by the Voices Music Arts Factory, featuring the song “Born Free”.

Following the official ceremony, accompanied by the sounds of a march, institute directors and faculty deans led the first-year students to their first university lecture.

The festive atmosphere for the first-year bachelor’s students was created by institute directorates and faculty deans’ offices, the Department of Educational Work (headed by Anna Prokopchuk), the Department of Information and Public Relations (headed by Snizhana Lysenko), members of the Voices Music Arts Factory (headed by Anna Prokopchuk, Maryna Khomik, and Anastasiia Butovska), and the Cherkashchanka Amateur Folk Dance Ensemble (led by Serhii and Karyna Kovalenko), all under the supervision of Halyna Havryliuk, Vice-Rector for Educational Work and Public Activities. All participants in the event express their gratitude for the photo and video coverage to students of the Educational-Scientific Institute of Ukrainian Philology and Social Communications Anna Kuiumdzhy, Sofiia Rymska, Vitalina Levchenko, and Kateryna Zubalii, as well as to the Student Television of the Department of Journalism, Advertising, and PR Technologies.

Press Office of Bohdan Khmelnytsky National University of Cherkasy