July 20, 2008

MIOK Congress

Source: CIUS Press Release, University of Alberta

The event was sponsored by the International Institute of Education, Culture and Ties with the Diaspora (Ukrainian acronym: MIOK). Held at the Lviv Polytechnic National University from 18 to 20 June, its theme was “The Diaspora as a Factor in Strengthening the Ukrainian State within the International Community.” More significantly, the conference brought together some 400 scholars, activists, and individuals from 28 countries with an interest in Ukrainian life outside of Ukraine’s borders. The conference began with a plenum held at the Lviv Opera Theatre featuring an array of distinguished speakers. The role of the diaspora as a potential “resource” or “partner” in the present and future development of the Ukrainian state was emphasized in several speeches. The conference then carried on with an academic plenum followed by concurrent sessions devoted to specific topic areas.

April 18, 2008

Dr. Lupart and Team in Ukraine - Inclusive Education Research Project

by Ihor Kobel

Canadian Research Team in Ukraine, April 2008

On April 18, 2008 a group of Canadian professors from Edmonton and Calgary visited the Pedagogical College of Ivan Franko National University in Lviv, Ukraine. They are Dr. Judy Lupart and Dr. Donna McGhi-Richmond from the University of Alberta, Dr. Tim Loreman from Concordia University, Dr. Anne McKeough and Dr. Gerry Kresowaty from the University of Calgary. This was the third visit of Canadian professors to the College since cooperation through CURT was established in 2004. Several Ukrainian instructors from the College have already visited the University of Alberta and Grant MacEwan College through various exchange programs including Deena Martin, a doctoral student from the U of A and Ihor Kobel - an instructor at the College in Lviv and a full time doctoral student at the University of Alberta. During the visit Canadians shared their knowledge and experiences in the implementing inclusive education in Canada. Several important issues were discussed such as teacher training programs for teachers working in inclusive educational environments; reforming school system and empowerment of teachers and administrators to make the transition easier; promoting of inclusion and new approaches to the individuals with special needs in Ukrainian society.

» read more about the project

May 3rd – 11th, 2007

High Level Educators from Ukraine Work with Alberta

by Bohdan Horich

Ukrainian academics visit
Grant MacEwan College, May 2007

Canada Ukraine Research Team (CURT) had the pleasure of hosting three high-profile academics from Ukraine: Dr. Vasil Kremen, the President of the Academy of Pedagogical Sciences of Ukraine and a former Minister of Education; Dr. Viktor Andrushchenko, Rector of the Drahomanov National Pedagogical University; and Dr. Vitaliy Bondar, Director of the Institute of Defectology.

Much was accomplished during this successful visit, including a meeting with the Alberta Ukrainian Language Agency (AULA), a meeting with the Advisory Council on Alberta Ukraine Relations headed by MLA Gene Zwozdesky, visitations to the Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies (CIUS) and a number of Edmonton’s inclusive schools.

The visitors also met with the Honourable Ron Liepert, Minister of Alberta Education, the Honourable Guy Boutilier, of Alberta International, Intergovernmental and Aboriginal Relations
A Memorandum of Understanding was signed with the University of Alberta, paving the way for a new project documenting Ukrainian Sign Language. Further, a full bi-lateral agreement between Grant MacEwan College and Drahomanov University was signed, which will facilitate greater academic cooperation between the two institutions.

The visit was capped by the Ukrainian Foundation for College Education’s annual Kyiv Konnection Banquet. There, in addition to presenting the many successes of the visit, the Ukrainian Resource and Development Centre at Grant MacEwan celebrated its 20th anniversary.

May 11, 2007

University leads study of Ukrainian Sign Language

by Caitlin Crawshaw

(* acquired from University of Alberta ExpressNews web site)

Signing ceremony participants at the University of Alberta, May 2007

May 8, 2007 - Edmonton - Under the rule of the former Soviet Union, the education system in Ukraine wasn't allowed to teach sign language to the deaf. An international agreement signed at the University of Alberta today is helping teachers and deaf students in Ukraine to teach and learn signing.

Led by education professor Dr. Debra Russell the Ukrainian Sign Language Project will document Ukrainian Sign Language. It is the first project of its type in the world.

"It's never been researched before," said Russell, who holds the David Peikoff Chair of Deafness Studies at the U of A. "Since sign language was not allowed to be used in the country, there was no formal study of Ukrainian Sign Language. It's really the first linguistic, descriptive study."

"Under Soviet times, the educational method was entirely oral. So, while deaf people have used sign language for centuries, it wasn't allowed to be used in school systems and it wasn't a formal area of study," she added. "And now, as with most signed languages, it's capturing the most interest. Sign language research is one of the growing fields across most countries, and Ukraine is no different in that way."

The data collected by the project will help Ukrainian educators instruct students in Ukrainian Sign Language and develop teaching curriculum, said Russell. It will also help researchers better understand American Sign Language, she added.

Dr. Judy Lupart, a U of A educational psychology professor who holds the Canada Research Chair in Special Education, said the agreement expands the range of collaboration between Drahomanov National Pedagogical University and the U of A.

Viktor Andrushchenko, rector of Drahomanov National Pedagogical University, noted that the agreement builds upon previous collaboration. He's particularly pleased with the agreement's specific focus.

"Another of these important areas is education of children with special needs, and the training of a new generation of teacher susceptible to new, technical innovations, and able to adapt to the new realities of life," he said.

According to U of A Dean of Education Dr. Fern Snart, the MOU "reflects beautifully the faculty's goals for international initiatives within our academic plan."

"It's well understood, but I think it bears repeating, that when we collaborate in this fashion, it enriches both sides of the collaboration," she said.

"I also know that when talented, enthusiastic people work together, there are wonderful surprises in terms of achievements that have not yet been planned or dreamed. And I hope some of those surprises will begin to happen as early as today."

Dr. George Richardson, the Faculty of Education associate dean (international initiatives), said the agreement is a great place "to begin looking at the range of future opportunities."

"We look forward to a long and very profitable collaboration."