Kyiv-Mohyla Alumni Association Supports its Alma Mater

Alumni Are Key to Long-Term Success

The nucleus of the Kyiv-Mohyla Alumni Association was formed after the first graduating class entered Ukrainian society in 1996, four years after the re-establishment of the University. A community spirit was formed as a result of the small size of the university, its democratic and inclusive environment, a common purpose and values, and the mission of reaching for excellence and forging international contacts.  The initial group was small and developed slowly.  In 2004, at the initiative of alumni who became more experienced and successful, the Kyiv-Mohyla Alumni Association was registered as a university organization. 

Members of the organization began its activities by staying in touch with university friends, making use of University sponsored job fairs and seeking new opportunities through graduate programs.  In time, the Alumni Association became involved in supporting the university through fundraisers, scholarships and networking.

The concept of alumni supporting and “giving back” to its Alma Mater is a new one in Ukraine.  A culture that promotes commitment and a sense of “family” among the University’s students, faculty and graduates is part of the spirit of “Mohylianka”, as the university is affectionately called. That spirit stays with graduates throughout their lifetime.

Alumni are Indicators of Quality Education

The University’s triumvirate of faculty, students and alumni are indicators of quality and rankings. 
They drive the Academy’s quest for excellence.  Graduates who enter the world with an education from Kyiv-Mohyla Academy continue to be part of the University family.  In a two-way commitment, the University needs the alumni for advocacy and financial support, and in return the University offers a lifetime commitment for their success, and for prospects to grow and sustain business, professional and social opportunities.  Alumni can keep abreast of new ideas and developments through contacts with the University, they can participate in the University’s intellectual and creative climate which can be a key beneficial component in their careers.  Kyiv-Mohyla Academy’s mission focuses on educating individuals committed to the needs of the Ukrainian nation within a framework of rule of law, social justice, economic development and individual freedoms, in the spirit of ethical considerations, personal self-worth and identity, mutual respect and community engagement.   What distinguishes Kyiv-Mohyla alumni is a sense of passion for life, ethics and self-expression in a quest for excellence.  

Alumni Sponsored Endowment Funds

The Alumni Association created several endowment funds financed by graduates of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, such as the Alumni Endowment Fund for an Annual Grant for the Best English Language Course, Endowment for Scholarships financed by Kyiv-Mohyla graduate Dmitro Tarabakin co-founder and partner of Dragon Capital, Ukraine's leading securities brokerage, investment banking, private equity and asset management firm,  Endowment for Academic Grants financed by Andriy Syvokon for the Best Project for University Development, and the Dmytro Malyuchenko Endowment Fund.  

Fundraising Annual Event

In March 2010 the Kyiv-Mohyla Academy Alumni Association held its sixth annual Alumni Fundraising Evening.  The event was held at the recently restored historic church built on the territory of the university’s campus by one of the university’s most illustrious alumni, Hetman Ivan Mazepa.

The evening presentation was attended by many former graduates who are among the country’s leading professionals - lawyers, environmentalists, political scientists, economics, business persons, academics. 

This year the Alumni Association earmarked the proceeds of its fundraiser to support annual subscriptions to electronic data bases. Alumni members received cards for remote access to all electronic library resources.  In past years funds raised at these events were earmarked for grants for the best English language teachers, to attract young faculty members and to attract foreign students.  

The university maintains close contact with alumni through the publication Alumni News, and publication of employment offers from leading employers in the weekly Alumni Job Announcement. The Kyiv-Mohyla Alumni Facebook group has more than a thousand participants.  There is an interactive website for graduates to stay in touch with each other and the university (www.alumni.ukma.kiev.ua).