Youth Day is not only an opportunity to congratulate the younger generation, but also a chance to see just how much energy, ideas, and strength they already possess today. Young people study, work, engage in science and sports, promote culture, volunteer, launch their own projects, and actively participate in the life of their communities.
This is especially important for the Sumy region—a region that demonstrates resilience every day. The youth of Sumy National Agrarian University are an integral part of this movement: some find fulfillment in student government, others in science, culture, or sports, and still others join social initiatives. They are all united by a desire to grow, take action, and make a difference.
“The beauty of SNAU lies not only in its campus and buildings. It lies, first and foremost, in its people and in the fact that we have learned to appreciate the opportunity to be together. A university should be a place where young people can grow, learn, and test their abilities in various fields. Don’t limit yourselves—take advantage of the opportunities and boldly pursue your own path. And we thank our defenders, both men and women, who are fighting to preserve every minute of your youth on your native soil,” said SNAU Rector Ihor Kovalenko in his congratulatory address.
To mark Youth Day, SNAU held an awards ceremony to present the Rector’s Commendations to students, young scholars, and representatives of the university community who, through their active participation, initiative, and sense of responsibility, strengthen student life and the reputation of the university and its affiliated units.
The following students were recognized for their active participation, leadership, initiative, and significant contribution to the development of the student community:
Anastasia Vanina, a student in the Faculty of Agricultural Technologies and Natural Resource Management, and Yegor Yakovenko, a student in the Faculty of Law, were honored with a Rector’s Commendation for their active participation in the university’s cultural and artistic life, their creativity, initiative, and contribution to the development of student culture.
Polina Reva, a student at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, and Oleksiy Mukhin, a student at the Faculty of Food Technology, were recognized for their active participation in the university’s athletic life, outstanding achievements, and promotion of a healthy lifestyle.
Svitlana Ustymenko, a student at the Faculty of Economics and Management, and Maria Gurska, a representative of the Sumy Vocational College of Sumy National Agrarian University, were awarded the Rector’s Commendation for their active civic engagement, participation in community initiatives, and social projects.
For his active research work and significant contribution to the development of scientific research and the building of the university’s scientific potential, Bohdan Rashchenko, a student at the Faculty of Engineering and Technology, was honored with a Letter of Appreciation from the Rector.
Special thanks go to the young scholars who are already advancing science at SNAU, conducting research, seeking new solutions, and shaping the university’s scientific future. The rector presented letters of appreciation to Yurii Spychak, senior lecturer at the A. K. Mishnov Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agricultural Technologies and Natural Resource Management, and Eduard Kinshakov, assistant at the Department of Cybernetics and Informatics, Faculty of Economics and Management.
The celebration continued with a themed quiz titled “Youth in Action,” which brought together students from SNAU’s faculties, representatives of the Sumy Vocational College of Sumy National Agrarian University, and young researchers.
The teams competed in logic challenges, demonstrated creativity during practical tests, and kept the suspense going until the very end—the results were extremely close.
The joint team from the Faculty of Agricultural Technologies and Natural Resource Management and the Sumy Vocational College of the Sumy National Agrarian University (SNAU) took first place. Second place went to the team of young scientists, and third place to the Faculty of Law. The winners received university merchandise, while all participants enjoyed a great time, made new friends, and created lasting memories.
On August 10, another event celebrating Youth Day took place at SNAU. During the event, Andriy Kolodnenko was honored for winning the “Youth Elite” competition organized by the Sumy City Council’s Department of Youth Policy in the “Student Self-Government Leader” category.
The Sumy City Council also awarded a Certificate of Commendation from the Mayor to Viktoria Zayarna, head of the Department for Student Educational Work at SNAU, for promoting youth development and supporting student initiatives at the university.
For Sumy National Agrarian University, young people are much more than just a part of the university community. They are participants in winter and summer schools, curious high school students at open house events, freshmen just discovering student life, confident upperclassmen, dedicated graduate students, young researchers, and faculty members.
We thank each and every one of you who takes action, grows, supports others, and helps shape SNAU alongside us. Happy Youth Day!
