Students at Sumy National Agrarian University never shy away from participating in community work, not only at the institutional level, but also at the national level. That is why, from July 25 to 27, 2025, students of SNAU took part in the VIII Congress of the Ukrainian Student League public union, which was held in Kyiv. The purpose of the visit was to represent Sumy National Agrarian University and the Sumy branch of the USL.
The university was well represented by two active students: Maria Petukhova — a student of the Faculty of Economics and Management, a journalist at the SNAU Media Center, a delegate to the Congress, and the head of the Sumy branch of the USL; Sofia Leonidova, a student at the Faculty of Agrotechnology and Environmental Management, an active participant in the faculty’s student self-government, and project manager of the Sumy branch of the USL.
The first day of the Congress began with a grand opening ceremony at the Vernadsky National Library. Christina Savyko, Chair of the USL Public Association, and representatives of the scientific community addressed the participants with welcoming remarks. Elections were held for the Chair of the Congress Secretariat, which were won by Yelyzaveta Taran, an activist with extensive experience in the Union. Next, the programs of the candidates for the position of Chair of the Executive Board, Mykyta Kucherov and Oleksandr Demchenko, were presented.
During one of the breaks, students had the opportunity to sign flags that partners from the volunteer sector take abroad and to meetings with our military on the front line.
The substantive part of the day included panel discussions on topical issues. In particular, the challenges posed by the war to the higher education system and the potential of the community as the foundation of a sustainable state were discussed. A separate session was held on involving students in the legislative process. The Congress also considered a number of organizational decisions, including the work of the Coordination Center and the approval of a new version of the Union’s charter.
Representatives of key state bodies, including the Ministry of Education and Science, the National Agency for Higher Education Quality Assurance, the Office of the President, relevant committees of the Verkhovna Rada, and other institutions joined the discussions.
At a secret initiation ceremony, members of the union who had acquired full membership were welcomed, and the official anthem of the Ukrainian Student League, “Creating a Better Time,” was presented.
The second day of the Congress took place at the World War II Museum and was devoted to dialogue between students and business, volunteering, and inclusivity in education. During the panel discussion “Who chooses whom: business chooses students or students choose business?”, participants had the opportunity to talk with representatives of Lenovo, Genesis, and KPMG — strategic partners of the Congress.
The discussion with Serhiy Prytula, who shared his experience of volunteering during the war and its impact on state-building, had a strong emotional impact. There was also a discussion about the recent protests against bill No. 12414. The activist noted his pride in the students, who did not come out to defend organizations, but rose up in order to be heard and have their opinions taken into account.
In the afternoon, there was a debate between the candidates for the position of chair of the Executive Board, which demonstrated their high level of preparation and clear vision for the future of the Union. One of the speakers was Tetyana Lomakina, Deputy Head of the President’s Office for Accessibility, who led a substantive discussion on the possibilities for barrier-free education in Ukraine.
The day ended with a report from the Ukrainian Student League charity organization on its activities over the past year, as well as a joint viewing of a video report from the Executive Board on their two years of work, after which the hall filled with applause. They recalled everything: the moment of preparation for the elections, the first events, the meanings they conveyed to the masses, and the traditions they shared with everyone who joined the union. They also talked about changes in the composition of the Board and the fact that the participants’ involvement in the League’s activities did not disappear, even despite their departure from their positions. The Ukrainian Student League is not about the system, but about a large family that unites a wide variety of people.
During the informal part of the event, delegates had the opportunity to establish personal connections during an evening networking session with representatives of business and public organizations — the event became a platform for forming new partnerships and ideas.
The third day took place at a symbolic location — the National Reserve “St. Sophia of Kyiv.” The central event was a Q&A session with the Third President of Ukraine, Viktor Yushchenko, who discussed with student leaders issues of national identity, statehood, and the strategic role of youth in the history of Ukraine.
The final chord of the Congress was the announcement of the election results: the team of Mykyta Kucherov, which includes two representatives from Sumy region, as well as students from various border regions, won. We sincerely congratulate them on their victory and wish them strength and inspiration in developing the Union!
The 8th Congress of the Ukrainian Student League once again demonstrated the resilience of the student movement in Ukraine, its ability to self-organize, think strategically, and be responsible to society. In the difficult conditions of wartime, our youth are forming new values and nurturing existing ones, as well as developing tools that will build the future.
Special thanks to the League’s photographers for their wonderful coverage of the event and the incredible moments captured for posterity. Here are links to their Instagram pages: @doodlepace, @dmytro.tata.photo, @a_pylypchenk, @curreuv, @italic_sans, @_sazhka.
You can recall how last summer’s Congress went by following the link.
