The Academy of Student Governance started its work in the Donetsk State University of Management. The Leadership Center of DSUM opened its doors to active students who are not indifferent to the future of Governance of their universities. The participants of the Academy were students of the Donetsk State University of Management and Donetsk Law Institute of MIA of Ukraine.  

Svitlana Marova, Rector of DSUM, welcomed students on the beginning of their work at the Academy: 

“Support of Student Governance is one of the most important components of the EduSpace project, which is implemented together with partners and donors in the framework of the Program “EU Support to Displaced Higher Education Institutions in Eastern Ukraine”. We are very interested in Student Governance at the university to work effectively, and we – academic staff and administration – will support in every possible way.”

The participants of the Academy were also congratulated by Larisa Tabala, the Head of Youth Policy Department of Youth and Sports Department of Mariupol City Council. Larisa Tabala explained in detail what youth policy is and how it “works” in Mariupol, and shared plans and goals for the future.

During the training, students learned about the development of Student Governance in Ukraine, its history and successful examples of activities in Ukrainian universities. The information about the work of Governance in universities of the USA, Canada and European countries was also very interesting for them. This was told by Victoria Popova, director of the Center for Corporate Culture and Public Relations, and Elena Permyakova, a specialist of the Center.

“This information was very interesting and important for the training participants. I hope that they will use this knowledge for their ideas and projects and apply it for the benefit of their universities.” – Maxim Gorobiy, Vice-Chairman of the DSUM Student Council.

Maxim Gorobiy, Vice-Chairman of the Student Council of DSUM, and Alexandra Lungu, Vice-Chairwoman of Mariupol Department of Cadet and Student Governance of DLI, described a number of problems faced by students in organizing Governance in their universities. They gladly shared their experience in organizing interesting events.

Very important for the organization of Student Governance are the issues of legal support of their activities. Albina Batechko, Associate Professor of the Department of Economic and Legal Disciplines and Economic Security, described these issues very clearly and professionally.

There are still many meetings ahead of the students at the Academy to discuss, to gain new knowledge and skills, as well as to implement ambitious goals and projects for the benefit of Mariupol universities and community.