From April 3 to 5, Sumy National Agrarian University (SNAU) served as the main venue for the regional intensive “Educational Drive: The Energy of Knowledge and Opportunities.” Over the course of three days, 42 active students from eight communities of the Sumy region worked on their own projects and explored the university’s scientific potential. The event was the result of successful cooperation between the Department of Education and Science of the Sumy Regional State Administration, the Regional Center for Extracurricular Education and Work with Talented Youth, SNAU and representatives of the public sector.
The participants were personally welcomed by the Rector of SNAU, Ihor Kovalenko, who emphasized that supporting talented youth and creating conditions for their self-realization in their home region is a strategic priority of the university. Viktoriia Zaiarna, Head of the Department for Student Development Activities, contributed to the organizational support and communication with young leaders, while Vita Tkachenko, Head of the Career Guidance and Pre-University Education Department, presented SNAU’s educational opportunities and conducted a campus tour for the school students.
An important part of the program was immersing students in real professional practice in the university’s laboratories. Together with researchers from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine — Tetiana Fotina, Liudmyla Bondarieva, and Viktoriia Ivchenko — participants explored the microworld using microscopes. At the Faculty of Agrotechnologies and Environmental Management, Vladyslav Kovalenko introduced students to modern approaches in agroecological farming. The Faculty of Food Technologies also offered a dynamic experience: Serhii Bokovets and Tetiana Stepanova taught students how to detect food adulteration and prepared cake pops together with them. The program was complemented by Oleksandr Kovalenko, Head of the Department of Tourism, who took participants on a tour around the legendary places of Sumy city. In addition to the intensive learning program, the organizers created a good atmosphere for communication. The gastronomic location of the event was the “Ginkgo” café — a modern space at SNAU where students could relax during breaks, discuss their ideas, and enjoy delicious food.
The regional intensive concluded with presentations of youth projects for local communities. SNAU once again confirmed its status as an open hub where youth initiative receives professional support from researchers and access to modern material and technical resources.
