Representatives of leading Ukrainian scholarly institutions meet (10/30/05)

Representatives of leading Ukrainian scholarly institutions meet

NEW YORK - At the invitation of Dr. Larissa Zaleska Onyshkevych, president of the Shevchenko Scientific Society (NTSh), representatives of leading Ukrainian scholarly institutions in North America convened at the society's headquarters here on October 1.

The objective of this conference was to share information on the current status and future plans of each of these organizations with respect to Ukrainian studies and publications, and to examine the possibilities of coordination and joint projects in these endeavors.

In attendance were the following representatives: Dr. Onyshkevych and Dr. Orest Popovych, NTSh; Dr. Olexa Bilaniuk and Dr. Albert Kipa, Ukrainian Academy of Arts and Sciences in the U.S. (UVAN) [Dr. Kipa is also the rector of the Ukrainian Free University]; Dr. Tymish Holowinsky, Harvard Ukrainian Research Institute; Dr. Roman Procyk, Ukrainian Studies Fund; Dr. Myroslava Znayenko, American Association of Ukrainian Studies; Dr. Zenon E. Kohut, Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies (CIUS); Dr. Serhii Plokhy, Peter Jacyk Center for Ukrainian Historical Research at CIUS; Dr. Mark von Hagen, Columbia University's Ukrainian Studies Program and Dr. George Grabowicz, the magazine and publishing house "Krytyka."

Each representative summarized briefly the most important projects pursued by his or her institution. Major successes were noted in the area of scholarly publications, notably by CIUS, NTSh, Krytyka and UVAN.

There was general consensus on the need to further promote the development of Ukrainian studies in North America, to provide scholarships to students and jobs to graduates in these disciplines, noting that the market for Ukrainian specialists in North America was rather limited. Therefore, there is a need to tap into the talent pool of Ukraine to rejuvenate these studies in North America.

The meeting expressed the need to put in order Ukrainian libraries and archives, including their computerization. The electronic Encyclopedia of Ukraine and other information published by CIUS were cited as examples to be emulated. There still remains the unfinished problem of making computer programs available to Ukraine in the Ukrainian language. NTSh has made considerable progress on this front over the years by pressing both Microsoft and Linux to Ukrainize their programming.

The scholars also noted the need to coordinate various efforts of different scholarly institutions, which includes adherence to a single Ukrainian orthography as well as a specific style manual.

All agreed that the exchange of information and ideas on the role of Ukrainian scholarly institutions in North America was very fruitful and it was decided to hold the next such meeting in March 2006.

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