From September 15 to October 15, REEEC is hosting three Ukrainian scholars as part of the BridgeUSA Ukrainian Academic Fellows Program (UAFP), an exchange initiative sponsored by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and administered by the American Councils for International Education. The program's long-term goal is to help Ukrainian universities educate and train professionals critical to the country's recovery and reconstruction through lasting, productive collaboration with U.S. institutions of higher education.
Please join us on Thursday, October 3 at 3pm in 306 Coble Hall for a panel discussion on the state of higher education in Ukraine featuring the perspectives and observations of our three BridgeUSA Ukrainian Academic Fellows:
Volodymyr Bazylevych is the Head of the Department of Information and Computer Systems at Chernihiv Polytechnic National University. His research centers on information security and cyber threat protection. Dr. Bazylevych has also played a crucial role in professional adaptation programs for former military personnel in Ukraine. At UIUC, he will work closely with Dr. Venugopal V. Veeravalli, an electrical and computer engineering professor, and Dr. Bruce Hajek, the head of the electrical and computer engineering department.
Nataliia Faryna is an Associate Professor of Ukrainian Applied Linguistics at the Ivan Franko National University of Lviv. Her research focuses on the syntax of the Ukrainian language, the methodology of teaching Ukrainian as a foreign language, and the works of Ivan Franko. Dr. Faryna has authored several educational manuals, including "Ukrainian as a Foreign Language: An Introductory Mini-Course." During her stay, she will be mentored by Dr. David L. Cooper, head of the Department of Slavic Languages & Literatures.
Olha Telna is an Associate Professor of Special Pedagogy and Psychology at Kharkiv Humanitarian-Pedagogical Academy. She is a disability rights activist with research interests in special and inclusive education. Living in Kharkiv, close to the frontline, Dr. Telna is dedicated to ensuring high-quality online teaching for those affected by the war. Her mentor at UIUC will be Dr. Catherine Corr, Associate Professor of Special Education.
The Bridge USA Ukrainian Academic Fellows Program (UAFP) is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs with additional funding provided by U.S. host institutions. The program is administered by the American Councils for International Education. The Illinois cohort of BridgeUSA Scholars is sponsored in part by the Illinois Scholars at Risk program and the Russian, East European, and Eurasian Center.
