Faculty of Ukrainian and Foreign Philology and Study of Art

Dean of the faculty – Popova Iryna Stepanivna, candidate of philological science and a professor.
Dean’s assistants of the academic work – Hrechenko-Zhyravs’ka Viktoriia Mykhailivna, candidate of philological science and docent; Zaytseva Victoria Vyacheslavovna, candidate of philological science and docent.
Dean’s assistant of scientific work – Diachok Natalia Vasylivna, doctor of philological science and a professor.
Dean’s assistant of educational work – Honiuk Oleksandra Valeriivna, candidate of philological science and a docent.

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Scientific schools of the faculty

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According to the new agreement, not only students of the educational programmes ‘Fine Arts’ and “Design” can undergo practical training in the Bieszczady region at the expense of the fund, but also students studying under the ‘Polish Language’ programme. The delegation also aimed to implement a project related to environmental design and its linguistic interpretation, which was successfully completed and confirmed by certificates of a mixed form of internship lasting at least one month. Our colleagues' participation in organizing a charity auction to support a children's home affected by flooding in Poland, which has recently brought much misery to Polish soil, proved to be interesting. Eight works by our students who had participated in international plein air workshops organized by the Bieszczady Art Foundation in previous years were put up for auction. Remembering how Polish citizens took care of Ukrainians who found themselves abroad in the first year of the full-scale invasion, representatives of Dnipro National University gratefully accepted the proposal of the foundation's chairman, Henrik Soris, to hold an auction. Six paintings were sold for a total of 32,788 hryvnias.

                 

✓ The international project Access ‘SMALL SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME FOR LEARNING ENGLISH FROM THE U.S. EMBASSY IN UKRAINE’ (English Access Microscholarship Programme, abbreviated as Access) for 1st-3rd year students of technical specialities, is implemented with the support of the US Embassy in Ukraine, funded by the US State Department, and implemented by the Ukrainian non-governmental organisation ‘Ukrainian Centre for Civic Initiatives “Svitlo” (NGO ’UCCI ‘Svitlo’) in cooperation with Ukrainian non-governmental organisations in the regions where it is held. The project instructor from the faculty is Nataliia Safonova, Associate Professor of the Department of English Philology.
The Access programme provides students, particularly those from low-income and socially vulnerable families (internally displaced persons, persons affected by hostilities, and persons whose parents are veterans or active military personnel), who do not know English or have minimal knowledge of it, with the opportunity to improve their English skills free of charge, learn more about the United States, its culture and values, develop leadership skills, and actively participate in Ukraine's development.

✓ Teachers of the Department of English Philology have launched a joint project with the University of Bordeaux within the framework of the Erasmus+ international programme.
The essence of the project is to facilitate the exchange of scientific information and materials, periodical scientific publications between teachers and scientists (professors, teachers or researchers), students and postgraduates; to organise joint scientific programmes, conferences, academic exchanges, etc. Professor Jean-Rémy Lapierre is the academic coordinator on behalf of the University of Bordeaux.

✓ Scientific and teaching staff of the Faculty of Ukrainian and Foreign Philology and Study of Arts of Oles Honchar Dnipro National University underwent a several-day internship at the University of Wrocław (Uniwersytet Wrocławski) under the Erasmus+ academic mobility programme.


Nataliia Safonova, Associate Professor of the Department of English Philology, gave several lectures to Polish students and conducted practical classes. Laura Sukhostavska was the Erasmus+ coordinator for English philology at the University of Wrocław. Head of the Department of General Linguistics and Slavic Studies at Dnipro National University, Natalia Diachok, and Professor of the same department, Olena Kuvarova, met with representatives of the Slavic Studies departments at the University of Wrocław and with students majoring in “English and Ukrainian Languages.” An agreement was concluded with Polish colleagues for master’s students of the University of Wrocław to undertake teaching practice at the Department of General Linguistics and Slavic Studies of Dnipro National University, as well as to establish Ukrainian and Polish language conversation clubs for philology students of both universities.

The head of the Department of Fine Arts and Design, Viktor Korsunskyi, also completed an internship under the Erasmus+ program. He visited the Wrocław Academy of Art, which is considered one of Europe’s leading educational institutions in the field of contemporary art, and toured the facilities related to visual arts, design, and architecture.

Currently, negotiations are underway with the Academies of Art in Wrocław and Kraków regarding cooperation specifically in the field of envi-ronmental design and fine arts.
✓ Participation of postgraduate students in international projects is regulated by the “Regulations on the Training of Applicants for Higher Education Degrees of Doctor of Philosophy and Doctor of Sciences at Oles Honchar Dnipro National University” (https://www.dnu.dp.ua/view/ndchigh). The Department for Cooperation with International Organizations and Foreign Partners (https://www.dnu.dp.ua/view/miznarodne_spivrobitnictvo) serves as the initiator for involving postgraduate students in the international academic community, informing them about opportunities for academic mobility, research projects, and grants.
Yelyzaveta Kondrashova, a fourth-year postgraduate student of the De-partment of World Literature (supervisor: Prof. T.M. Potnitseva), is complet-ing an academic mobility program at Swansea University, Wales, United Kingdom. The internship period was from November 1, 2022, to May 9, 2023, under the program PG Visiting Research Student within the Faculty of Humani-ties and Social Sciences.
Kateryna Rusakova, a second-year postgraduate student (supervisor: Prof. V.I. Lipina), stayed at Adam Mickiewicz University (Poznań, Poland) from April 12 to April 21, 2024, where she participated in the International Spring School “Interdisciplinary Model of Studies” as part of a bilateral agree-ment between Dnipro National University and Adam Mickiewicz University.
The publication of research results in foreign scientific journals enables postgraduate students to join the international academic community. In addition, postgraduate students regularly take part in international conferences.
✓ Students of the faculty actively participate in academic mobility pro-grams. Over the past four years, more than 30 students have completed intern-ships through various programs. Students study in China, Japan, Turkey, France, and Spain within the framework of state cooperation agreements be-tween these countries and Ukraine, which ensures a high level of professional training for Ukrainian students in their national educational institutions. In 2024, during her second year of study, Kateryna Markovska (a fourth-year student) had a wonderful opportunity to take part in the “CAVILAM Alliance Française” program and complete a French language course in Vichy, France. While immersed in a French-speaking environment, the student not only deep-ened her knowledge and professional skills but also broadened her worldview and gained a deeper understanding of the country’s culture. As Kateryna her-self notes: “The unforgettable experience allowed me to see the world in a new light, and I don’t plan to stop here! Ahead lie new discoveries and achieve-ments, in which, I am sure, our teachers – true professionals and experts in their field – will continue to guide me.”


✓ The faculty’s academic and teaching staff participate in international internships that include exchange programs and online activities. Our colleagues have received around 120 certificates confirming their participation in webinars organized by Charles University (Prague, Czech Republic).
Associate Professor of the Department of General and Slavic Linguistics, I. M. Shpitko, received a certificate of participation in the Summer School of Slovak Language and Culture in 2023, held by the Faculty of Arts of Comenius University in Bratislava and the Center for Slovak as a Foreign Language (Slovak Republic).
Specialists in Romance Studies from the Department of Romance and Germanic Philology are members of the University Agency for Francophony (AUF). In 2025, I. S. Kirkovska, Head of the Department of Romance and Germanic Philology, completed an international internship on the development of international projects offered to Ukrainian universities that are AUF members, held at Ștefan cel Mare University (Suceava, Romania). As part of an agreement with the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), a DAAD lecturer works annually in the German Studies section of the department. Currently, this position is held by Ákos Bitter.
✓ For many years, starting from 2010, cooperation has been ongoing with the Polish charitable foundation “Bieszczady-Art” – “Table of Dreams”, initiated on behalf of Dnipro National University by Viktor Korsunskyi, Head of the Department of Fine Arts and Design. During this time, students of the department have had the opportunity to take part in plein-air workshops in Poland and to work on design projects focused on creating visual communica-tions, environmental design solutions, street art projects, installations, and in-terior visual environment designs. By early 2025, a new design project is being prepared in cooperation with the administration of Solina, Poland. The project envisions the creation and practical implementation of street art for the 

For several years now, the faculty has had an active student self-government body. The primary mission of the Student Council is to protect students’ rights and responsibilities, enrich student life, and foster the creative potential of young people. Students take an active part in the cultural life of the university, participating in the folk circus studio “Raiduha” (Rainbow) and the theatre studio “Masky” (Masks). The activities of the student theatre group “Vidlunnia” (Echo) are also well known, particularly through their perfor-mances of “Roksolana,” “Marusia Churai,” “Orgy,” “Miracle,” “The Great Vault,” and others. On March 14, 2024, members of the scientific and creative club “Vidlunnia” took part in the All-Ukrainian Student Intellectual Online Tournament “The Universe of Shevchenko: Ukrainian Identity in Time and Space,” competing against thirty teams from other universities. It is a pleasure to note that our team won first place in this competition.

     

Students of the Faculty of Ukrainian and Foreign Philology and Study of Arts are educated young individuals with a deep understanding of various fields of science and culture. They not only acquire knowledge but also actively participate practical classes, taking part in numerous competitions and contests where they demonstrate their talents, creativity, and professional skills.
It is worth noting that on November 8, 2023, a Dnipro National University team that connsists of 10 students from different specializations of our faculty participated in the International Intellectual Student Tournament dedicated to the Day of Ukrainian Writing and Language, titled “Youth and Language – Unity Through the Word.” Among 30 educational institutions, our team achieved an impressive 5th place.
Students of design and fine arts actively participate in various specialized professional exhibitions, competitions, and festivals both in Ukraine and abroad. Exhibition activities involving lecturers and students of the department – held in the halls and galleries of Dnipro National University, the Dnipro Art Museum, the city museum “Literary Prydniprovya,” the Dnipropetrovsk Regional Universal Scientific and City Library, and private art galleries – constantly enrich and diversify the artistic life of Dnipro.
Among the achievements of design students in recent years are:
• gold medals at the 2023 All-Ukrainian competition “Packaging of the Future” awarded to students Y. Denysenko and A. Koval
• a book featuring the design of a collection of short stories by V. Stefanyk, created by student K.Prokopchuk, which was added to the collection of the Lviv National Library;
• Organization of the 2023 poster competition “A Moment Before Victory” with an exhibition of the winning works held at the Dnipro National Universi-ty Student House;
• first and second prizes in the All-Ukrainian Architectural Drawing Competi-tion “KAR 2023,” awarded to students I. Myrhorodska and V. Vereikina;
• first and second prizes in the International Creative Ex Libris Competition in memory of Felix Kider, awarded to students D. Smytska and M. Tymoshenko;
• second and third prizes in the All-Ukrainian Open Competition of Creative Design Projects “Art Vision 2024,” awarded to students I. Myrhorodska and D. Smytska;
• second prize in the All-Ukrainian competition “Colors of Podillia 2024,” awarded to student K. Penia;
• development of the concept and interior design for the “Gallery of Remembrance of Fallen Soldiers” at Oles Honchar Dnipro National University, created and implemented by students A. Kovalenko and K. Penia.

After the beginning of Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine, patriotic and educational activities among students became more active. Members of the Student Council organized another campaign titled “Give Warmth to a Defender 2.0. Now Offline”. More than 100 trench candles were produced with the participation of students from various specializations.
Active students of our faculty are engaged in volunteer work, inde-pendently organizing memorable events that unite people and create countless unforgettable experiences.
In October 2024, the Student Council organized a “Charity Fair,” which saw enthusiastic participation from students of all faculty departments. Handmade knitted and embroidered items, original jewelry, fun games, and a photo zone all were personally prepared by our students. More than 6,000 hryvnias raised at the fair were donated to the defenders of the 234th Separate Battalion of the 128th Separate Brigade of the Territorial Defence Forces of Dnipro (Operational Command “South”).
In March 2025, the Student Council held the Talent Festival “Art Renais-sance” at the Dnipro National University Student Palace, where students com-peted for the title of “Best Talent of the Faculty”. The funds collected from voluntary audience donations were sent to support the soldiers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, while the winners received well-deserved prizes! Everyone present became a part of this magical event and contributed to the fight for in-dependence!

Thanks to the new initiatives introduced in 2025, FUFPA students now have the opportunity to unite and create large-scale events, share their ideas, and take part in meaningful discussions!
Thus, on February 15, a celebration dedicated to Valentine’s Day was held at the Dnipro National University Student Palace, with the participation of the FUFPA Cultural and Mass Committee. Working together on a common project brought students from different faculties closer and provided everyone with an unforgettable experience.

Thanks to the new initiatives introduced in 2025, FUFPA students now have the opportunity to unite and create large-scale events, share their ideas, and take part in meaningful discussions!
Thus, on February 15, a celebration dedicated to Valentine’s Day was held at the Dnipro National University Student Palace, with the participation of the FUFPA Cultural and Mass Committee. Working together on a common project brought students from different faculties closer and provided everyone with an unforgettable experience.

Graduates of the Faculty can work in educational institutions (schools, secondary specialized institutions, gymnasiums, colleges, universities), in mass media (newspapers, radio, television), in travel agencies, or engage in translation and interpreting activities.

My name is Kateryna Rusakova. My journey in studying Eastern languages began in 2016, when I entered the educational program “Chinese and English Languages and Literatures.” Before that, I had never studied Chinese, but when choosing my future specialty, I was looking for a place where teaching quality truly mattered. Having entered the Faculty of Ukrainian and Foreign Philology and Study of Arts, I was not mistaken. The teachers of the Department of Comparative Philology of Eastern and English-speaking Countries are true masters of their craft. They not only present material in an engaging way but also introduce students to the cultures of the countries whose languages they teach, because for them, Eastern languages are a great love and a lifelong passion. My first Chinese teacher and also my group curator, as well as supervisor of my course papers, bachelor’s thesis, and master’s dissertation was Associate Professor Hanna Dashchenko, PhD in Philology.
An important milestone in my studies was my participation in the All-Ukrainian Competition of Student Research Papers during my second year. My first research paper, completed under the careful guidance of my academic supervisor, won second place in the final stage of the competition. This achievement became a turning point for me. It strengthened my confidence that studying Eastern languages was truly the path I wanted to pursue in life. Later, for my academic achievements and extracurricular activity, I was awarded the Presidential Scholarship of Ukraine.
In 2019, after completing my third year, I received a scholarship from the Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China for a one-year language internship. Thus, during the 2019–2020 academic year, I studied at the South China Normal University in Guangzhou. Thanks to this program, my Chinese proficiency significantly improved, and by the end of the year I successfully passed the HSK5 exam. Studying in China also gave me the opportunity to make many friends from different parts of the world, with whom I still keep in touch. In addition, foreign students often participated in various contests, traditional celebrations, and sports events – I even took part in two half marathons.
After completing my bachelor’s degree in 2021, I had no hesitation in continuing my studies at the master’s level, as my goal was to become part of the academic community of our university. Studying in the master’s program not only enriched my theoretical knowledge but also allowed me to apply it in practice, since I had the opportunity to teach undergraduate students during my teaching practicum at the department.
The successful defence of my master’s thesis, together with the support of my teachers and family, encouraged me to pursue further education, a PhD program, to earn the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. My field of academic interest is Asian-American literature. I am currently conducting my research under the expert supervision of Doctor of Philology, Professor, and Head of the Department of Comparative Philology of Eastern and English-speaking Countries Viktoriia Lipina.
Moreover, my ongoing interest in Eastern languages and literatures motivated me to move forward and take part in the selection process for the Global Korea Scholarship (GKS IRTS 2024), offered by the Government of the Republic of Korea. As a result, I was granted the opportunity to study Korean language for one year at Chungnam National University in Daejeon. People often say that Chinese is the most difficult language, but now I can confidently say that it is not Korean is no less challenging, especially because of its complex grammar. However, Korean instructors do their utmost to make language learning both engaging and effective. The Institute of International Education at Chonnam National University also frequently organizes various cultural activities for international students, such as traditional cooking classes, Taekwondo lessons, and more.
In the future, I aim to apply the knowledge and experience I have gained to contribute to the development of East Asian studies within our Faculty of Ukrainian and Foreign Philology and Art Studies. In Ukraine, East Asian studies remain a relatively young field of academic research. It is important for our younger generation to contribute not only to cultural enrichment, but also to the promotion of Ukrainian scholarship on the global stage.

Olena Polovynko graduated from Dnipro National University in 2002 with a degree in Philology, qualifying as a teacher of Russian and Ukrainian language and literature. After defending her Candidate of Sciences (PhD equivalent) dissertation in 2006, she held the position of Associate Professor at the Department of General and Slavic Linguistics. Under an interuniversity agreement, she taught Russian at the Shandong University of Science and Technology (China) during the 2007–2008 academic year. Since September 2015, she has been working at the Department of Slavic Studies at the University of Strasbourg (France). Her research focuses on the sociolinguistic situation in Ukraine, language contact and the resulting phenomena and processes, with a particular interest in issues of language norms. She recently published a book on surzhyk (a Ukrainian-Russian mixed speech), which explores the historical events that led to the unequal coexistence of Ukrainian and Russian in Ukraine and the emergence of this hybrid. The book analyzes sociolinguistic representations of the most widespread forms of communication in Ukraine and examines the phonetic-phonological, grammatical, and lexical features of surzhyk.

"Currently, I serve as the Head of the Creative Practices Department at the Dnipro Art College (Dnipropetrovsk Vocational Art and Culture College), where I teach courses in Project Management, Grant Management, and Branding and Visual Communication.
It brings me great joy to share my knowledge with students and help them unlock their creative potential.
I believe that art education is not only a tool for professional development but also a powerful means of shaping modern creative thinking. Oles Honchar Dnipro National University became a true launching pad for my professional journey.
It was there that I gained both a solid academic foundation and the ability to merge creativity with contemporary design trends. To all students, I wish inspiration, continuous growth, and new creative achievements!"

In 2020, she graduated with honours from Oles Honchar Dnipro National University with a Master's degree in Philology, specialising in "Slavic languages and literatures (translation included)", with Russian as her first language.
She is currently pursuing postgraduate studies at Oles Honchar Dnipro National University under the supervision of Professor V. A. Husev.
In 2024, she obtained a postgraduate degree from the University of Wrocław (Republic of Poland) with a specialisation in "Czech Language in Administration, Tourism and Business".
In 2019, 2021 and 2022, she was a member of the jury for the second (regional) stage of the All-Ukrainian Competition for Students of the Junior Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, in the "Literary Creativity" section. In 2022, she took part in the project "Equal on the Labour Market" – a Polish language course for Ukrainians (Opolska Wojewódska Komęda OHP w Opolu, Polska).
She currently teaches at the language school "Pracownia Językowa" in Opole, Poland. She now works at Oles Honchar Dnipro National University as a lecturer at the Department of General Linguistics and Slavic Studies (2024).

Hello! My name is Karina Zubko, and I am a student at Oles Honchar Dnipro National University. I have always been aware that learning languages broadens your horizons, which is why I chose to study French philology. I speak English, French and Spanish, and each of these languages is a personal victory for me because they offer opportunities as well as knowledge.
I began my language studies with an international internship in the United States. It was challenging adapting to a new culture and meeting new people but it helped me improve my English and find my way in a multicultural environment. Then there was France, where I attended a language camp that allowed me to fully immerse myself in French life.
In contrast, Spain was a new adventure for me. The exchange programme not only improved my Spanish but also made me realise how important it is to be open to a different lifestyle. Both programmes taught me something new, and I am truly grateful to the university for offering me these opportunities. I enjoy learning new things and applying my knowledge in real life. Languages are not just my profession, but also a way to learn about the world, build bridges between cultures, and help others. I believe that every opportunity and every experience makes us stronger and ready for new challenges.
So I pursue this path with confidence, knowing that there are many exciting things ahead!