Continuing an Educational Tradition: KNU Students to Study at the Language Center of Kuwait University
There are languages whose study opens not only new professional opportunities, but also doors to another cultural and civilizational space. For Ukraine today, Arabic is one such language.
On 9 September, Sviatoslav Kovalchuk, a student of the Educational and Scientific Institute of International Relations, and Anastasiia Repiakh, a student of the Educational and Scientific Institute of Philology at Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, arrived in Kuwait. They will spend the coming year studying at the Language Center of Kuwait University.
Their stay marks the continuation of a programme that for several years has given students of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv an opportunity not simply to study Arabic, but to experience the language every day, to discover the country from within, and to learn more about its culture and people.
Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, students of the University have been studying at Kuwait University through its scholarship programme. Over this time, individual student stories have become part of a larger story of Ukrainian-Kuwaiti educational partnership.
For Ukraine, programmes like this have significance that goes far beyond learning a foreign language. We need professionals who have a deep understanding of the Arab world, its cultural context and the specific features of the region, and who are able to build professional dialogue with the Arab world.
Knowledge of the language, combined with first-hand experience of living and studying in an Arab environment, provides a much deeper understanding of the region and creates a foundation for future diplomatic, economic, educational and cultural cooperation between Ukraine and Arab countries.
And here, we would especially like to thank our colleagues at the Embassy of Ukraine in the State of Kuwait.
Over these years, we have been through a great deal together — finding solutions when organisational challenges arose, supporting our students, celebrating their successes, and each time finding a way to continue this important work.
For the University, this support is more than assistance with a particular programme. It is an example of how university and diplomatic efforts can complement each other and create new opportunities for the younger generation.
We sincerely thank Kuwait University for its trust, hospitality and longstanding support for Ukrainian students.
We wish Sviatoslav and Anastasiia a year in Kuwait filled with new knowledge, discoveries, encounters and experiences that will stay with them for a long time.
Perhaps it is through student stories like these that future Ukrainian-Arab relations begin.
Link: https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1089022820306721&set=a.215261524349526&locale=uk_UA
