- Tuesday, August 11, 2026
On 11 August, Yuriy Fedkovych Chernivtsi National University was visited by the President of the Ukrainian Catholic University and Chair of its Senate, His Eminence Metropolitan Borys Gudziak of Philadelphia.
During the visit, Metropolitan Boris Gudziak and members of the delegation met with Ruslan Biloskurskyi, Rector of Yuriy Fedkovych Chernivtsi National University. Also present at the meeting on behalf of the university were Iryna Osovska, Vice-Rector for Academic and Pedagogical Affairs, International and Humanitarian Activities; Yuriy Khalavka, Vice-Rector for Research; and Oksana Matiichuk, Deputy Head of the International Relations Department.
During the meeting, the participants discussed changes to the educational process at Ukrainian universities since the start of the full-scale invasion. In particular, they discussed the experiences of Yuriy Fedkovych Chernivtsi National University and the Ukrainian Catholic University, as well as how higher education institutions have adapted their teaching to the new circumstances.
They discussed in particular the training of students on the "Theology" degree programme, the specific features of the teaching process, and the role of theological education in contemporary Ukrainian society.
Rector Ruslan Biloskursky also spoke about student life at the university, emphasising that it is not limited to academic studies. Students are actively involved in university organisations, initiating and organising various events, including charity fundraisers in support of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Iryna Osovska, Vice-Rector for Academic and Pedagogical Work, International and Humanitarian Activities, spoke about the university’s work on veterans’ programmes and the development of initiatives aimed at supporting veterans and creating opportunities for their further professional and academic development.
The delegation also included Bishop Glib Lonchyna, a priest of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church; Fr Marko Fesniak, a representative of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia; Andrea Kochan-Nigud, a representative of Catholic Charities; and Gina Christian, a national correspondent for OSV News, the US Catholic news agency.
Following the meeting with the rector, the delegation took a tour of the Residence of the Metropolitans of Bukovyna and Dalmatia, during which the guests learnt about the history and architectural heritage of the complex.
The visit provided an opportunity for an open dialogue on contemporary Ukrainian education, international cooperation, academic ties and new opportunities for further collaboration.
