Winners of the Serhiy Konoval Memorial Scholarship Contest Announced
On December 23, 2024, the TNMU selection committee, in collaboration with Olha Konoval, director of the Serhiy Konoval Memorial Fund, chose the scholarship winners dedicated to the memory of TNMU alumnus Serhiy Konoval.
The committee included Arkadiy Shulhai, Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs; Marta Rudenko, Head of the Center for Educational Work and Cultural Development; Nadiya Oliynyk, Head of Communications and Marketing; Petro Lykhatskyi, Trade Union Chair; Taras Borys, Head of the Legal Department; Oleksandr Mihenko, First Deputy Head of the Student Parliament; and Kateryna Martsiuk, Deputy Head of the Student Parliament.
About the Scholarship
The scholarship, established by the Serhiy Konoval Memorial Fund, supports students with significant achievements in community, volunteer, and patriotic activities. This monetary award encourages youth to be active and conscious members of Ukrainian society, fostering patriotism, leadership qualities, responsibility, and dedication to Ukraine.
Contest Overview
Thirteen TNMU students participated: Maksym Levytskyi, Yuliya Turyk, Albina Pylypchuk, Nazariy Krulyk, Vitaliy Hakalo, Yehor Zhadov, Yuliana Sayuk, Ilona Kohut, Yuliya Sysiuk, Anastasiya Hulko, Mariya Hrabovetska, Sofiya Berehulyak, and Ihor Kukonkov.
In the first round, three finalists—Nazariy Krulyk, Sofiya Berehulyak, and Vitaliy Hakalo—were selected for final consideration by the fund’s leadership. After deliberation, the main scholarship was awarded to fourth-year student Vitaliy Hakalo, while Nazariy Krulyk received a special encouragement scholarship from Olha Konoval.
Декілька слів про наших переможців
About the Winners
Vitaliy Hakalo, in his application, shared:
*”I write this letter after 12 hours in an operating room during the war. Honestly, I’m exhausted, but my friends urged me to apply. Since the start of the full-scale invasion, I’ve voluntarily joined the defense of Ukraine. I’ve spent every holiday at the front lines for nearly three years, often working without breaks. During the academic year, I balance studies with trips to the front. I stabilize the wounded and perform surgeries when needed.
I’ve worked in Bakhmut, Soledar, Lyman, and Pokrovsk, where I’m currently stationed, with various military units, including the 67th Mechanized Brigade—Serhiy Konoval’s brigade. To receive a scholarship in his name would be a great honor.
Apart from my military service, I work part-time at a Ternopil emergency medical station. In May 2022, I accompanied medical brigades to Azovstal for evacuation attempts thwarted by Russian forces.
I don’t believe I deserve this more than anyone else, but I’ve sacrificed my youth and mental health for this war. It’s painful, but I see it as my duty. If I could return in time, I’d make the same choice in 2022.”*
Nazariy Krulyk actively participates in various university, city, regional, and national community organizations. Since June 2024, he has been involved in the Erasmus+ Lifestrand program, earning a certificate as a junior trainer. From July to December, he trained civilians in Ternopil and the region, participating in eight of the program’s eleven workshops. He is also a passionate advocate for blood donation and other social initiatives.
Scholarship Eligibility
The Serhiy Konoval Memorial Scholarship will be open every semester to students who meet the following criteria:
High moral responsibility to society.
Active participation in community organizations promoting social, volunteer, or civic development;
Achievements in sports, culture, volunteering, science, or public events, supported by certificates or awards;