On the occasion of Education Workers’ Day, which was celebrated in Ukraine the day before, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Ukrainian schoolteachers and faculty members of higher education institutions, congratulated them on their professional holiday, and presented them with state awards.
The Head of State emphasized that during the war, education and the contribution of educators have taken on particular importance. According to Volodymyr Zelenskyy, despite all the difficulties, kindergartens, schools, and universities continue to operate in Ukraine.
“Of course, there are a great many challenges, a great many different problems. There is a lot for the state to do, a lot to do on shelters, to support families and childhood. A lot needs to be done for security. A country’s security begins with precisely these things, and if our education is preserved, then cities function, villages truly live on, our country has a future, our citizens have a future, every community has a future,” the President emphasized.
The Head of State noted that readiness to defend one’s country, the resilience and courage of our warriors, and people’s character and skills all begin with education.
“Ukrainians have their own character, their own vision of life and the world. All of this begins in early childhood, comes with upbringing, comes with culture, with education,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy added.
The President thanked educators for their daily contribution to shaping the consciousness of Ukrainians.
“My wish is for all our people, all our children, to be able to return to their lives – to life in peace, life in safety and, of course, with a guaranteed future. And we are all working toward this,” the Head of State noted.
Among the Ukrainian education workers who received awards were winners of the All-Ukrainian “Teacher of the Year – 2026” competition, teachers who prepared winners of student academic competitions, educator-volunteers, professors at higher education institutions, and authors of scientific works, research, and projects in various fields.
In particular, Mykhailo Ilchenko, Professor at the Department of Telecommunications of the National Technical University of Ukraine “Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute,” was awarded the Order of Merit, I class. He headed the university’s space program, under which the first Ukrainian Polytan nanosatellites were created. He also led the research and development of the Spectator unmanned aerial systems – Ukraine’s first mini-class fixed-wing UAVs.
The Order of Merit, III class, was awarded to Ihor Mikulionok, Professor at the Department of Chemical, Polymer and Silicate Engineering of the National Technical University of Ukraine “Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute.” With his involvement, more than 40 students – members of the Junior Academy of Sciences – obtained 79 Ukrainian patents, including for developments aimed at strengthening our country’s defense capabilities, and became winners and prize recipients in numerous international and nationwide competitions.
The President also conferred honorary titles on educators. Among them was Volodymyr Lukin, Head of a Department at the National Aerospace University “Kharkiv Aviation Institute.” He is the author of more than a thousand scientific works. He developed methods and algorithms for information compression with minimal loss of quality, which are used, among other areas, in Ukraine’s security and defense sector and in ensuring information privacy.
Another recipient was Viktoriia Yavorska, Dean of the Faculty of Geology and Geography at Odesa I. I. Mechnikov National University, who studies the impact of the full-scale war on Ukrainian soils, including land contamination in frontline areas and ways to restore them. Her research also includes the environmental consequences of the destruction of the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant dam.
Also honored was Viktoriia Sadovnichenko, Director of Kyiv Lyceum No. 245 “Helikon,” who initiated volunteer campaigns, charity fairs, and cooperation with prominent cultural figures to support the Armed Forces of Ukraine. In October 2022, she ensured the operation of the largest Point of Invincibility in Kyiv’s Obolonskyi district.
