(UE). — More than 90 years have passed since Ukrainian exiles from the Ukrainian National Republic intent on establishing an institution of higher education free of hostile influence and constraints, formed the Ukrainian Free University, first in Vienna, then relocated to Prague and finally to Munich. The history of the Ukrainian Free University was written with great foresight and in difficult circumstances by several generations that established it and then secured its financial foundation. Today's generation which grew up in the diaspora, thus far has done little of substance to assist this institution, but has at least benefited in part. However, no generation, excepting perhaps that of its founders, could have envisioned its far reaching significance in the 21st century as an invaluable treasure of our nation. The UFU today embodies the essence of a metaphorical educational bridge between the diaspora and independent Ukraine separated for so long by a literal iron curtain which kept apart not only people but ideas, thoughts and cultures.
Today, the university’s leadership is in the hands of Ukrainian scholars and academics from Ukraine and the diaspora. Its rector comes from Ukraine, the deans of the three basic departments from both Ukraine and the diaspora. The faculty is diverse and includes not only Ukrainians. Non-Ukrainian faculty members come from Austria, the Czech Republic, the United States and other places. All are professional, knowledgeable and experienced.
Even more interesting is the student body composition. It is mostly from Ukraine, but not strictly nor even predominantly from the Lviv, Ternopil or Frankivsk regions. Donetsk, Luhansk, Chernivtsi, and the Crimea are represented more than equally. All students speak and write in Ukrainian fluently and manifest an unbridled enthusiasm for Ukrainian studies, philosophy, history and economics, and in particular, for studies abroad. Since the UFU deals primarily with master's and doctoral programs, students at UFU tend to be quite knowledgeable and sophisticated.
The University is located in a prestigious part of Munich, perhaps Germany, the most central and convenient location in Western Europe and in a country that needs a significant Ukrainian presence given its history of leaning towards Russia. Some argue that this affection towards Russia by Germany is strictly motivated by its need for energy supply. Still even in the last few years one can point to several deliberate acts on the part of Germany which can only be perceived as being not pro-Ukrainian, i.e. the ironically disingenuous persecution of John Demjanjuk, the staging of a “scholarly” conference in the German Embassy in Kyiv, entitled “Bandera the fascist,” Germany's open reluctance to accede to Ukraine/EU association (and to NATO before). Still Germany is arguably economically the most stable member of the European community and is a major player in global affairs.
The UFU offers masters and doctorate programs in Ukrainian studies, philosophy, government and economics. Each program is spread out over three semesters. The doctorate program is concluded after a thesis is presented and defended. Currently some 150 students are matriculating. The UFU also affords opportunities to learn English and German. In the very near future the UFU plans on returning a formerly most successful program in education studies.
The UFU is also involved in publishing. The current agenda includes a special publication of conference materials on the occasion of the 200th year of birth of Taras Shevchenko, a collection of Lesya Ukrainka prose and poetry in Ukrainian and German and other projects. The UFU serves as a venue for a variety of scientific and cultural events. On site is an extraordinary archive of the UFU's 90 year history as well as a voluminous, perhaps unparellelled outside of Ukraine, library of Ukrainian and other books on Ukrainian topics and some very rare publications dating back to the 18th century. The archive is in process of being properly preserved and cataloged. The library is undergoing full electronic updating.
For some the UFU is a Ukrainian oasis within a foreign desert, for others it is a window of opportunity to engage in Western scholarship and academia. Actually the UFU offers still a third option: it is a two directional bridge between Ukraine and the West and one between the Ukrainian diaspora and Ukraine.
The UFU is funded with tuition payments from the students themselves firstly, but supplemented in large pat from two main endowments: a 4.7 million euro surplus which resulted from the sale of its previous location in Munich after the purchase and renovation of the new venue; and the U.S. based Ukrainian Free University Foundation formed in the mid 1970's by Ukrainian-American visionary friends of the UFU which through donations in the form of gifts, bequests and equity appreciation has grown to more than 3 million dollars.
This roughly 9 million dollar endowment would be sufficient but for increasing interest in the UFU from a larger number of young scholars, particularly from Ukraine, but including the Eastern diaspora who now have access to Western studies as well as students from the West thirsting for Ukrainian higher education in a Western environment. The current student body composition has resulted in a much more visionary administration and faculty at the UFU. Today's agenda requires more possibilities and a substantially greater budget.
Thus the UFU needs new benefactors. Previous generations were responsible largely for UFU's current assets. Perhaps, their children and grandchildren can keep it not only afloat, but broaden its horizons to reach new heights in today's information oriented world. That potential at this point has no bounds. The U.S. Based UFU Foundation has diversified its capital investment portfolio which includes savings certificates, income producing real estate and a debt and equity investment portfolio. The last is a recent occurrence particularly of benefit both to the Foundation and the prospective donor (U.S. taxpayer) who may not only deduct the full amount from his tax burden, but avoid a capital gain declaration. A similar path is envisioned for its European endowment colleague. More information is available by contacting the UFU Foundation at info@ufuf.org .
Among the many accomplishments of the Ukrainian diaspora was establishing Ukrainian studies in the West, and in particular those dealing with higher education and scholarly work. Some programs have been more helpful and beneficial than others. A valid argument of criticism has been that often these programs at non-Ukrainian institutions while established and financed by Ukrainians, ultimately fail to serve the needs of Ukrainian education and scholarship. This can never happen with the Ukrainian Free University. It was established by Ukrainians, financed by us and will forever (at least in the foreseeable future and as long as we can maintain it) remain Ukrainian. We own it!
