Sorry, this entry is only available in Українська.

Sorry, this entry is only available in Українська.

ALMEX: New Approaches to Engaging Alumni in University Development

How can alumni remain more than just contacts in a database and instead become active contributors to the development of their university? This question was at the heart of a study visit within the framework of the international project ALMEX – Alumni Management Excellence: Building University Capacity for Sustainable Graduate Engagement.

The project aims to help universities build systematic and long-term engagement with alumni by integrating them into key areas of institutional development — from educational and career initiatives to innovation and partnership activities. It is about moving beyond formal communication toward creating an active alumni community that becomes a full-fledged part of university life. 

From March 16 to 20, 2026, delegations from partner universities, including Sumy State University, visited Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (Netherlands), where they explored European approaches to building sustainable and structured alumni engagement.

The SumDU delegation included Head of the Information Technologies Department, PhD in Technical Sciences, Associate Professor Anna Nenia; Head of the International Cooperation Office, PhD in Pedagogical Sciences Alla Krasulia; Head of General Administrative Support and International Protocol Group Iryna Slabko; and Head of the Practice and Employer Relations Department, PhD in Technical Sciences Alyona Yevdokymova.

Together with project partners — Ukrainian Catholic University, University of Alicante, Zaporizhzhia National University, National University of Water and Environmental Engineering, Warsaw School of Economics, and the National Agency for Higher Education Quality Assurance — participants examined how Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam develops effective alumni engagement models, from maintaining communication to actively involving graduates in educational, innovation, and entrepreneurial initiatives.

The program combined strategic discussions with practical experience. Participants explored the work of units responsible for communications and fundraising, visited innovative spaces such as VU StartHub, the Entrepreneurship Center, and The Demonstrator Lab, and focused on digital tools for alumni engagement, relationship management, and data protection.

An important part of the visit was a roundtable held on March 18, 2026, at the Embassy of Ukraine in the Kingdom of the Netherlands, with the support of the Ukrainian Institute in the Netherlands. The event brought together representatives of universities, diplomatic institutions, and the Ukrainian diaspora.

The discussion focused on the role of Ukrainian alumni abroad in the development of higher education in Ukraine — their involvement in supporting universities, mentoring, expanding professional networks, and promoting Ukrainian education internationally. Special attention was given to the idea of creating a global community of Ukrainian university alumni as a platform for long-term cooperation and new partnerships.

The study visit became an important milestone for the ALMEX consortium, enabling participants not only to learn from European experience but also to shape a practical vision for alumni community development. For SumDU, this is a step toward strengthening alumni engagement and building an open, active community that contributes to university development. This experience is particularly valuable for the Department of Information Technologies, as it opens new opportunities for collaboration with alumni, their involvement in the educational process, and the implementation of joint IT initiatives.

On March 27, an Open Day was held at Sumy State University 🎓

Prospective applicants had the opportunity to get acquainted with the university, communicate with students, and receive answers to актуальні questions about admission and studying.

Throughout the event, there was active communication: students shared their personal admission experiences, spoke about the особенності of the educational process, student life, and the opportunities the university offers.

Participants were able to ask questions about the difficulty of courses, the format of studies, and the overall atmosphere at the university, receiving honest and open answers 💬

The event was also attended by the Head of the Department, Anna Nenia, who presented the department’s specialties, explained the academic training, and outlined career prospects after graduation.

The event took place in an open and friendly atmosphere and became a great opportunity for future students to get to know the university better.

We thank everyone who joined and look forward to seeing you at Sumy State University, at the Department of Information Technologies 💙

On February 26, in the city of Sumy, at the regional branch of the Junior Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, the second round of the All-Ukrainian competition-defense of research projects by student members of the JASU took place.

Faculty members of our department also took part in evaluating the projects as jury members:

— PhD in Technical Sciences Kuznetsov E.H. — section “Educational, Game Programs and Virtual Reality”

— PhD in Technical Sciences Boyko O.V. — section “Artificial Intelligence Systems and Technologies”

This year’s competition once again proved that modern school students are not just learners, but true researchers who are not afraid to think beyond the standard curriculum. Based on the results of the second round, one top participant from each section earned the opportunity to present their work at the next stage, which will take place in May in Kyiv.

The participants’ projects were truly impressive in terms of their level of preparation and diversity of ideas. It is especially noticeable how the approach to learning is evolving: the online format has not only influenced the way material is presented, but has also opened up new areas of interest for young scientists.

Among the most popular направления are the automation of practical and laboratory work in mathematics, physics, and chemistry. At the same time, students are активно integrating IT into everyday life: they create applications for daily planning, develop solutions for safety briefings in wartime conditions, and explore the possibilities of virtual reality.

All of this is a vivid testament to the curiosity, creativity, and genuine desire of young people to grow in the field of information technology. It is important to note that a strong foundation for this is provided by the school computer science curriculum, which offers the first skills in algorithmic thinking and programming (Scratch, Python, Java).

We sincerely believe that these talented boys and girls will not stop at their achievements, will maintain their interest in science, and will continue their education at higher education institutions in Ukraine. And of course, we will be happy to see them among the students of Sumy State University 💙

Happy 50th Birthday to Vira Shendryk, Professor of the Department of Information Technologies!

Today, our department is celebrating a very special occasion — the milestone birthday of a person whose contribution to the development of our team and IT education in general is hard to overstate.

For 11 years (from 2014 to 2025) Professor Vira Shendryk consistently and successfully headed the Department of Information Technologies. Under her strategic leadership, the department has evolved into a dynamic center of innovation and a powerhouse for producing top-tier IT specialists.

Vira Shendryk is an outstanding scientist whose expertise is recognized far beyond the borders of Ukraine. Her international experience as a visiting professor and researcher at university (Canada), Malmö University (Sweden), and Riga Technical University (Latvia) is a true source of pride for our academic community. Since 2015, she has been successfully leading a research group focused on web-oriented information systems, uniting talented researchers around her. Her numerous scientific papers, copyright certificates, and developments in the fields of decision support systems, energy infrastructure management, and medical data processing make a significant contribution to modern science.

Dear Vira Viktorivna! Our entire team sincerely congratulates you on this wonderful day! 

We wish you the inspiration to conquer new scientific heights, successfully implement the most ambitious international projects, and mentor even more talented and grateful students. May your professional growth continue with new achievements, and may your innovative ideas always find a way to be realized.

In your personal life, we wish you strong health, family warmth, harmony, and boundless happiness. May every new day bring joy, and may reliable friends, loving family members, and like-minded colleagues always be by your side. We wish you peaceful skies and a bright future!

With deep respect and the warmest wishes, The team of the Department of Information Technologies! 

On March 17, students of the Department of Information Technology of Sumy State University took part in the specialized event Fintech Job Fair, held at the IQ Business Center in Kyiv. The trip and participation of future IT specialists at the job fair were made possible by the initiative and support of the Department of Financial Technologies and Entrepreneurship.

During the job fair, second- and third-year students had the opportunity to directly familiarize themselves with offers from leading fintech companies in Ukraine and receive comprehensive information on current requirements for young specialists in this field.

The visit program included direct communication with employers regarding internship and further employment opportunities. Students were able to study in detail the technical competencies that are critical today for the development of modern financial products, as well as establish useful professional contacts.

The experience gained will help students better navigate the choice of their future specialization and prepare for the challenges of the modern labor market, where the combination of IT solutions and financial literacy is becoming a key advantage.

Sorry, this entry is only available in Українська.

Congratulations to Yuliia PARFENENKO and Vira SHENDRYK on high awards from the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine! 

The team of the Information Technologies Department sincerely congratulates Yuliia PARFENENKO, the PhD, Associate Professor, and Vira SHENDRYK, PhD, Professor, on receiving the Commendations from the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine!

Our colleagues received these honorary awards for their professional contribution to ensuring the quality of the selection of scientific works applying for state funding.

The Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine regularly awards scientists with commendations for conducting scientific and scientific-technical expertise of research projects, developments, and reports on their implementation. This is a well-deserved recognition of expertise and high professionalism. We are proud of your achievements and wish you inspiration, new large-scale projects, strength to realize all your plans, and further professional victories!

With pride, the IT Department Team