On April 24, 2026, Sumy National Agrarian University hosted a graduation ceremony for master’s degree recipients of the “Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security” program, implemented in collaboration with the Royal Agricultural University (United Kingdom).
The event brought together representatives of government agencies, the educational community, and international partners, marking an important milestone for the development of international education and the strengthening of academic partnerships.
Ihor Kovalenko, Rector of SNAU, addressed the audience with a welcoming speech:
“International educational programs are not just about diplomas; they are about shaping a new generation of professionals capable of working in a global environment. We are proud of our graduates, who are already demonstrating a high level of knowledge, responsibility, and readiness to transform Ukraine’s agricultural sector.”
Svitlana Lukash, one of the program’s guarantors, also addressed the graduates, congratulating the master’s students on the successful completion of their studies and wishing them professional fulfillment and continued success.
The participants were also addressed by Professor Mark Horton, Vice Rector for Research and Entrepreneurship at the Royal Agricultural University; Mykola Trofimenko, Deputy Minister of Education and Science of Ukraine; and Yuriy Petrushenko, Director of the President of Ukraine’s Fund for the Support of Education, Science, and Sports. Alexander Smirnov, Director of the Twinning Ukraine project, also delivered a separate speech.
As part of the celebrations, Viktoria Hrobova, Director of the Department of Education and Science of the Sumy Regional State Administration, presented certificates of appreciation to representatives of the university community for their significant contribution to the training of highly qualified specialists. In particular, the awards were presented to university representatives—Viktoria Makarova, Serhii Horbas, and Alina Brychko—as well as master’s program students—Oleksii Bozhonok and Ruslan Konev.
The highlight of the event was the ceremony for awarding internationally recognized master’s degrees from the Royal Agricultural University and diplomas from Sumy National Agrarian University. The graduates demonstrated a high level of preparation that meets modern international educational standards.
On behalf of the graduates, Master’s student Oleksii Bozhonok delivered a speech of gratitude:
“This program has been for us not only a stage of learning but also an important step in our professional development. We have gained knowledge, experience in international cooperation, and confidence in our own abilities, which will help us realize our potential in the future.”
The implementation of the dual-degree program between Sumy National Agrarian University and the Royal Agricultural University is an important step in the development of international cooperation, the integration of Ukrainian education into the global academic community, and the training of a new generation of professionals.
