On June 17, 2025, the University of Manitoba became the first Canadian university to join the Global Coalition for Ukrainian Studies – an initiative established by the First Lady of Ukraine, Olena Zelenska. This is a significant step toward strengthening international academic support for Ukraine.

The Global Coalition for Ukrainian Studies unites leading universities around the world to initiate or expand research dedicated to Ukraine – its history, culture, language, literature, identity, and related fields.

“By joining the Global Coalition for Ukrainian Studies, the University of Manitoba demonstrates interest in deep and systematic study of Ukraine’s heritage and present-day realities. This is also an important step toward strengthening cultural and educational ties between Ukraine and Canada. We are grateful to our Canadian friends for their efforts in promoting knowledge about Ukraine within the global academic discourse,” said Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrii Sybiha.

Commenting on this event, Olga Budnyk, Advisor - Commissioner of the President of Ukraine for the Fund of the President of Ukraine for Support of Education, Science, and Sports, stated:
“Canada is one of the world’s strongest centers of support for Ukraine. Here, the Ukrainian diaspora preserved culture, language, and memory during the darkest times for our country, when these were banned at home. The University of Manitoba becoming the first higher education institution on the North American continent to join the Global Coalition for Ukrainian Studies is a concrete step in deepening the partnership and continuing the strong connection that unites Ukrainians on both sides of the ocean through education, science, culture, and historical memory. This cooperation will allow us to study Ukraine together – objectively, systematically, and in a modern way. It is important for Canadian youth to know what our country is today, not just its past.”

Olha Kuryshko, Permanent Representative of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, emphasized the importance of the move:
“By joining the Coalition, the University of Manitoba contributes to the formation of a global academic space where Ukraine is represented clearly, truthfully, and with dignity. We are deeply grateful to our Canadian partners for this support. This cooperation also creates important opportunities to raise awareness about Crimea, its history, and the culture of one of Ukraine’s Indigenous peoples – the Crimean Tatars.”

The Memorandum of Cooperation signed between the Presidential Foundation for Support of Education, Science, and Sports and the University of Manitoba outlines key areas of collaboration. These include support for programs promoting Ukrainian studies, implementation of initiatives aimed at increasing global awareness of Ukraine, development of Crimean Tatar studies, academic exchange, and countering Russian disinformation. The document also encourages joint efforts in organizing international events such as conferences and seminars, as well as cultural exchanges to deepen global understanding of Ukrainian identity and cultural heritage.

As part of this cooperation, the University of Manitoba plans to actively invite Ukrainian lecturers to give talks and full academic courses, implement joint educational programs with Ukrainian universities, integrate Ukrainian studies materials into existing programming, and organize exhibitions and presentations on Ukrainian topics.

Volodymyr Sheiko, Director of the Ukrainian Institute and one of the co-founders of the Global Coalition for Ukrainian Studies, emphasized the significance of this event:
“Today, the world is discovering Ukraine – our culture, science, history, and civil society. Through cultural and educational diplomacy, the Ukrainian state amplifies our voices abroad and decolonizes knowledge about us. The participation of Canadian universities in the Global Coalition for Ukrainian Studies will elevate academic partnerships to a qualitatively new level and serve as an important tool in strengthening trust between our countries.”

Ukrainian Studies have been present at the University of Manitoba since the 1980s with the establishment of the Centre for Ukrainian Canadian Studies. Today, their work spans multiple formats, including undergraduate programs and interdisciplinary courses on Ukrainian Canadian heritage, monthly lectures and reading clubs, research projects, postdoctoral fellowships, and ongoing development of new course offerings. The core areas of Ukrainian Studies include teaching, public engagement, and research activities.

The Global Coalition for Ukrainian Studies was initiated by First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska and is implemented in cooperation with the Ukrainian Institute, the Presidential Foundation for Support of Education, Science, and Sports, the Mission of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine. Its goal is to ensure professional, accurate, and widespread study of Ukraine, and to support the Ukrainian and Crimean Tatar languages and cultures in the international academic space.