A young researcher and graduate of the joint master’s program between Sumy National Agrarian University and The Royal Agricultural University (United Kingdom) “Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security,” Oleksii Bozhonok has become one of the winners of the competitive selection process for PhD research projects as part of a pilot project by the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine to train PhD candidates in project-based graduate studies. The corresponding list was approved by Order No. 1032 of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine.
As part of the project-based graduate program, under the scientific supervision of Professor Ihor Kovalenko, Oleksii will conduct research on the topic “Biological remediation of degraded and war-damaged soils in Ukraine based on microbial-plant consortia.” The project aims to develop effective biological approaches to restoring soils that have been negatively affected by the war, as well as to find scientifically sound solutions for their subsequent safe and productive use.
The topic of this study is extremely relevant for Ukraine. The full-scale war has caused widespread land degradation and contamination, posing serious challenges for agricultural production, environmental safety, and the restoration of affected territories. That is why research in the field of biological remediation has not only scientific but also significant practical value.
The project-based doctoral program is a new model for training PhD candidates, launched by the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine. It involves not only conducting dissertation research but also carrying out a full-fledged scientific project with clearly defined goals, an implementation plan, funding, and expected results. This approach is designed to strengthen the link between science and the needs of the state and to facilitate the implementation of research findings into practice.
Following the results of the competitive selection process, 79 of the 137 research projects submitted were approved and will receive government funding for their implementation.
Commenting on the win, Oleksii Bozhonok noted:
“For me, this win is, first and foremost, an opportunity to continue research that has practical significance for the post-war reconstruction of Ukrainian territories. And this research may soon be applied in my home village in the Kherson region, where I was born. The project-based graduate program opens up new opportunities for young scientists to bring their own ideas to life and tackle today’s pressing challenges, thereby fostering the development of scientific and technical potential among young people. I am sincerely grateful to my academic advisor, Professor Ihor Kovalenko, for his support, trust, and mentorship, as well as to Sumy National Agrarian University and The Royal Agricultural University for the knowledge and experience that have become a solid foundation for my professional development.”
Oleksii Bozhonok’s victory is a significant event for the university community and further proof that graduates of Sumy National Agrarian University are successfully contributing to research aimed at addressing the pressing challenges associated with Ukraine’s recovery.
We congratulate Oleksii Bozhonko and his research advisor, Professor Ihor Kovalenko, on their victory in the competitive selection process! We wish them success in implementing the project, significant scientific results, and new professional achievements!
