Festive Academic Council of the SNAU Development strategy, awards, and scientific achievements

Sumy National Agrarian University held a festive academic council meeting, an event that brought together the strategic vision for the development of the institution, deep respect for the resilience of the university community in wartime, and recognition of the significant scientific and professional achievements of its employees.

The meeting began with consideration of the key issue on the agenda — approval of the Development Strategy of Sumy National Agrarian University for the 2026–2030 academic years. Ihor Kovalenko, Rector of SNAU, delivered a report and presentation on the strategic document, outlining the main priorities for the university’s development, directions for the transformation of educational, scientific, and international activities, as well as the institution’s role in the restoration of the region and the state. In his speech, the rector emphasized that the new Strategy was formed in response to current challenges and is focused on the active transformation of the university.

“War has become a new reality of our existence, and that is why strategic decisions must be proactive rather than reactive. We are consciously shaping the Strategy as a tool for transforming challenges — security, economic, educational, and scientific — into new opportunities for the university’s development, expanding its potential, and strengthening its role in the country’s recovery. SNAU should be a university that not only adapts to change but also shapes decisions for the future,” emphasized Ihor Kovalenko.

During the solemn part of the festive academic council, the rector of Sumy National Agrarian University presented awards for courage, resilience, and a high level of civic responsibility demonstrated during enemy attacks, for maintaining composure and dedication to the cause, and for the continuous and conscientious performance of professional duties in conditions of increased danger — as an example of the true resilience and unity of the university community.

The rector expressed his gratitude to:

• Lyudmila Bohinska, associate professor of the Department of Construction and Operation of Buildings, Roads, and Transport Structures of the Faculty of Construction and Transport;
• Natalia Rymar, senior laboratory assistant of the Department of Marketing and Logistics of the Faculty of Economics and Management;
• Serhii Ponomariov, 3rd grade electrician for repair and maintenance of electrical equipment;
• Vladyslav Tkachenko, 3rd grade electrician for repair and maintenance of electrical equipment;
• Svitlana Klymas, cleaner of office premises in educational building No. 2;
• Olena Pidlisna, guard of the main building;
• Svitlana Kurasova, guard of educational building No. 2;
• Valentyna Honcharenko, guard of educational building No. 4;
• Rodion Goydyko, 3rd-year student majoring in Management at the Faculty of Economics and Management.

As part of the festive academic council, awards were also presented “For Restoration” to university employees for their conscientious and prompt performance of repair and restoration work on educational buildings after an attack by enemy unmanned aerial vehicles, which made it possible to restore the functioning of the university infrastructure in the shortest possible time and ensure the continuity of the educational process.

The awards were presented to:

• Andriy Marinch, assistant worker;
• Yevhen Nikolaienko, assistant worker;
• Serhiy Letuchiy, assistant worker;
• Lyudmila Sadova, assistant worker;
• Oksana Zakharchenko, 4th grade painter.

An important part of the festive academic council was the presentation of documents on the awarding of academic degrees and academic titles, which confirms the steady development of the scientific potential of Sumy National Agrarian University even in wartime.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees were awarded to:

• Yana Koplyk — in the field of natural sciences;
• Yuriy Spychak — in the field of agricultural sciences and food;
• Lyudmila Varenik — in the field of veterinary medicine;
• Serhiy Poroskun — in the field of management and administration.

Associate professor certificates were awarded to:

• Natalia Zhurbenko, associate professor of the Department of Finance, Banking, and Insurance;
• Natalia Prokopenko, associate professor of the Department of Geodesy and Land Management;
• Tetyana Sinenko, associate professor of the Department of Food Technology and Safety.

Congratulations were also announced to colleagues who were not present at the event — Olha Dubovyk, Farid Kharchenko, and Marina Oslopova — on receiving their associate professor certificates. Separately, during the festive academic council, the university rector awarded a doctorate to Nataliia Tarenlyk, who earned a doctorate in technical sciences, which is a significant scientific achievement and confirmation of the high level of the university’s scientific school.

The culmination of the festive academic council was the presentation of the honorary award “Person of the Year – 2025”, which is awarded to university employees at the end of the year in recognition of their systematic, responsible and effective work, professional stability and personal contribution to the development of Sumy National Agrarian University in the difficult conditions of wartime. In 2025, these people became a pillar of support for the team, an example of integrity, hard work, and dedication to the university and Ukraine.

Based on the results of their work in 2025, the following individuals were awarded the honorary title of “Person of the Year – 2025”:

• Yurii Danko, Vice-Rector for Scientific and International Activities — for successfully passing scientific certification, publishing articles in Q1 Scopus database publications, expanding international cooperation, and attracting new foreign students;
• Natalia Bolhova, Dean of the Faculty of Food Technology — for successfully passing the accreditation of educational programs, improving the faculty’s personnel policy, and the high publication activity of scientific and pedagogical workers;
• Oleksandr Illienko, Director of the Romny Professional College of SNAU — for his significant contribution to the organization and conduct of the 2025 admission campaign, high professionalism in managing the institution under martial law, and dedication to his work;
• Olha Bakumenko, Associate Professor of the A.K. Mishnov Department of Plant Protection — for her initiative, effective research and expert activities, and significant personal contribution to the development of the university’s scientific component;
• Natalia Makarenko, Head of the Department of Marketing and Logistics, Professor of the Department of Marketing and Logistics — for her significant personal contribution to the development of the university’s educational activities, the high results of research work by scientific and pedagogical staff and applicants to the department, the active introduction of modern approaches in the field of marketing and logistics, career guidance work, and the popularization of the specialty.

The festive atmosphere of the event was complemented by a choreographic performance by “SWAY,” presented with the waltz “Vyshyvanka,” as well as a musical greeting from the Starosilsky Folk Choir, which became a symbolic chord of unity, indestructibility, and faith in the future. The festive academic council meeting once again demonstrated that Sumy National Agrarian University is a strong academic community united by common values, responsibility, and a commitment to sustainable development even in the most difficult conditions.