Ukrainian Free University holds annual opening ceremonies (08/02/98)

Ukrainian Free University holds annual opening ceremonies

MUNICH - The Ukrainian Free University (UFU) in Munich held its annual opening ceremonies on July 12 with Prof. Miroslav Labunka, rector, welcoming colleagues, students and guests, and emphasizing the achievements of the university in the last 77 years.

He noted an irony: "The difficulties and crises that the university encountered in the past were the result of the lack of statehood of the Ukrainian people. The present critical situation of the university results from the existence of an independent Ukrainian state."

"With the arrival of independence, foreign sources believe that they no longer have the duty to contribute toward the education and development of Ukrainian intelligentsia, and Ukraine on the other hand, does not seem to understand the cultural and scholarly significance of a Ukrainian Free University beyond its borders," he observed.

The keynote address of the evening was delivered by Prof. Anatol Kaminskyj, dean of the faculty of law and social-economic sciences. Leading with a quote from the 16th century English philosopher Francis Bacon, "knowledge is power," Prof. Kaminskyj analyzed the contemporary political and economic situation in Ukraine from that perspective.

Prof. Kaminskyj pointed to the lack of a coherent policy on the part of the Ukrainian government with regard to economics and education, and stated that the motto "economics first," which is frequently cited by various Ukrainian leaders, is at best misleading.

Even today, he said, there are no definitive, radical systemic and structural reforms and no concrete plans and projections, which are necessary to overcome the current economic crisis. The unchecked, chaotic development of the Ukrainian economy did not pave the way for the infrastructure needed for a modern market economy, but rather led to the formation of savage capitalism, mass corruption and criminal entities.

Sound policy is lacking in the area of education and this is leading to the disintegration of educational and intellectual life in Ukraine, as evidenced by the "brain drain" since independence. What Ukraine needs today is cadres of university-educated young leaders capable of turning things around, he said, adding that it is exactly in this area that the UFU can make an important contribution. The dissolution of the UFU would be a tragic loss for Ukrainian education in Ukraine, as well as in the diaspora, and would serve to undermine Kyiv's foreign policy initiatives and nation-building processes.

Prof. Leonid Rudnytzky, dean of the faculty of philosophy, welcomed the 60 assembled students and urged them to take advantage of all the opportunities offered not only by the Ukrainian Free University, but the state of Bavaria and the city of Munich as well.

After reading greetings sent by Prof. Petro Goy, president of the Ukrainian Free University Foundation in New York, Prof. Rudnytzky reminded all the scholarship recipients of their moral obligation towards the generous and devoted benefactors of the foundation. He spoke about Ukrainian Americans who have dedicated their time, energy and financial resources to enable young students to learn at the only Ukrainian university beyond the boundaries of Ukraine.

In his written statement Prof. Goy stressed the fact that in the past seven years alone the foundation, thanks to the generosity of its donors, has provided approximately $900,000 for scholarships for deserving students. Prof. Goy further indicated that since Ukraine's independence, "The Ukrainian Free University opened its doors to our brothers and sisters from our native land and thus has become their window to Western culture and education."

The annual faculty meeting of the Ukrainian Free University - at which the future of the university will be decided - is scheduled for July 31-August 1.