Ukrainian President speaks directly to Swinburne students
Swinburne students attended a special address by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy via live video link, followed by a student Q&A with the President
In summary
- Swinburne students attended a special address and Q&A with His Excellency President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine
- It was a unique opportunity for Swinburne students to engage – in real time – with a world leader navigating the realities of war and the importance of international order
- During the Q&A, a Swinburne student had the opportunity to ask a question
Swinburne students were privileged to attend a special address by His Excellency President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine.
The event was presented by the ANU Centre for European Studies, the National Security College and our friends at the Embassy of Ukraine in Australia, hosted by former Minister for Foreign Affairs, The Hon Julie Bishop. Swinburne was proud to join the Special Address as a partner university, and in support of the Ukrainian people.
Students speak with the Ukrainian President
President Zelenskyy asked to speak directly to Australian university students.
Over a live video link from Ukraine, he spoke to the brutality of the Russian invasion, Ukraine’s need for aid and the role of young people in combatting propaganda online. The opening address was followed by a student Q&A session with the President.
It was a unique opportunity for Swinburne students to engage – in real time – with a world leader navigating the realities of war and international politics in times of conflict.
Swinburne’s international relations students have been looking to the conflict as a case study since Russia’s invasion in February 2022. They have been applying different academic lenses and approaches to better understand the multidimensional aspects of the war and its broader impact across Europe, Australia and the world.
During the Q&A, a Swinburne student had the opportunity to ask: “How do you view China’s attitude and behaviour towards this war, where it somehow provided support to Russia despite its claim to be neutral? Do you think it is possible for Ukraine to enlist the support of China?”
In his closing remarks, Ukraine's Ambassador to Australia Vasyl Myroshnychenko remembered his active involvement in youth politics and reiterated that this generation of university students will be the next global leaders.
Swinburne offers support to Ukraine
Swinburne stands in support of the Ukrainian people.
Swinburne currently has 29 Ukrainian-born students studying with us and the university hopes to welcome more. Eligibility for Welcome Scholarships has been extended to those who have recently arrived from Ukraine and are on a Temporary Humanitarian Concern visa.
Swinburne’s Welcome Scholarships for asylum seekers were established in recognition of the hardships faced by people seeking asylum. This scholarship will assist in the pursuit of their studies and new life in Australia.
All Welcome Scholarships comprise a full fee waiver, and a laptop when successful applicants commence their studies.
Those on a Temporary Protection Visa (TPV) or a Safe Haven Enterprise Visa (SHEV) may be eligible for a payment of up to $7,500 per annum if their course is longer than 12 months.
Swinburne offers a range of support services to refugee and asylum seeker students including access to health and wellbeing services, spiritual support, mentoring services and more.
Watch it back
You can catch up on the special address online or follow the conversation via the hashtag #UnisWithUKR.
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