TNMU Hosted Research Conference on Local History “Shevchenko Scientific Society and Ternopil Region: History and Modernity”

On November 22, 2023, I. Horbachevsky Ternopil National Medical University hosted a research conference on local history “The Shevchenko Scientific Society and Ternopil Region: History and Modernity”. The meeting was devoted to the 150th anniversary of the founding of National Technical University. Its organizers were the Ternopil Branch of the Shevchenko Scientific Society and the Ternopil Regional Universal Scientific Library.

Taking into account the martial law and striving to ensure the level of personal safety of the participants as much as possible, it was planned to hold the scientific event in a mixed format, and the declared speakers and interested persons could join the work of the conference online.

On behalf of the organizers, Mykhailo Andreichyn, DSc, Professor, Academician of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine, Active Member of the Shevchenko Scientific Society, Head of TNMU Department of Infectious Diseases, Epidemiology, Skin and Venereal Diseases addressed the participants. Being the head of the Ternopil branch of the Shevchenko Scientific Society, in his introductory speech Mykhailo Andreichyn pointed out the important role of this organization in the history of the development of Ukrainian science and culture, in the preservation and development of the language, the establishment of national self-awareness, and the formation of Ukrainian statehood.

The participants of event were also welcomed by Fr. Andrii Hovera, who conveyed the greetings and blessings of the Archbishop and Metropolitan of Ternopil-Zborivskyi, Vladyka Vasilii, DSc in Physics and Mathematics, Professor, Academician of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Active Member of the Shevchenko Scientific Society, Director of Ya. S. Pidstryhach Institute of Applied Problems of Mechanics and Mathematics Roman Kushnir, Head of the Shevchenko Scientific Society in Lviv, deputy of the Ternopil Regional Council, head of the permanent commission on issues of spirituality, culture, freedom of speech and information Mykhailo Tymoshyk, director of the department of culture and tourism of Ternopil Regional Military Administration Svitlana Baitaliuk.

The conference participants were greeted by the Rector of TNMU Mykhaylo Korda, DSc in Medicine, Professor, Corresponding Member of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Active Member of the Shevchenko Scientific Society, who noted in his speech that the Shevchenko Scientific Society is, in fact, the first Ukrainian national academy of sciences, the driving force of Ukrainian science at the end XIX – at the beginning of the XX century, played a decisive role in the formation of Ukrainians as a nation. Professor Korda indicated its essential historical mission, as it not only developed science, but also introduced it into the world and European context. He drew attention of those present to the deep symbolism of the society’s history, which vividly demonstrates the attraction of the East and West of Ukraine to a single whole, expressed his joy at the fact that the jubilee scientific event is taking place precisely at TNMU, whose teaching staff has significant scientific achievements in the field of research, and the university itself occupies a prominent place in the world rankings TNMU Rector wished the participants health, strength, enthusiasm, creative achievements, peace and victory.

Certificates were presented to the active members of the Shevchenko Scientific Society. Appreciation medals were awarded to TNMU Rector Mykhaylo Korda, Academician Mykhailo Andreichyn, Vice-Rector for Research Ivan Klishch, Professor Vasyl Kopcha and others for their significant contribution to the development of science and culture of Ukraine.

The main topics of the conference were: the establishment and development of the Shevchenko Scientific Society and the specifics of its functioning during the one and a half century period; the social, scientific, cultural, and nation-building significance of the Shevchenko Scientific Society in synchronic and diachronic dimensions; the Ternopil branch of the Shevchenko Scientific Society, its achievements and development prospects; prominent Ternopil residents and residents of the Ternopil region and their contribution to the development of the first Ukrainian scientific institution, etc.

Almost 200 participants took part in the conference – scientists, local historians, experts in the field of culture from Ukraine, the USA and Poland, teachers and students of TNMU and other Ternopil universities. 20 reports were presented to the audience. The scientific community of our institution was represented by:

• Mykhailo Andreychyn, Mykhailo Andreichyn, DSc, Professor, Academician of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine, Active Member of the Shevchenko Scientific Society, Head of the Ternopil branch of the Shevchenko Scientific Society, who delivered the keynote speech “Glorious and tragic pages of the history of the Shevchenko Scientific Society”, identified the most important stages of the development of the organization, highlighted and outlined its individual contribution, the most active figures and pointed to the exceptional role of the Shevchenko Scientific Society in the formation and approval of national-state ideas;
• Olena Protsiv, Director of TNMU Library, offered the conference participants the report “Civil and scientific activities of Ivan Horbachevsky, an active member of the Shevchenko Scientific Society”, in which, outlining the life path of an outstanding scientist, a native of Ternopil region, whose name our university bears, she emphasized on those famous pages of his biography that are directly related to the Shevchenko Scientific Society.

According to the results of the conference, a resolution was adopted, which contains clear and specific recommendations regarding the development strategy of the Ternopil branch of the Shevchenko Scientific Society, determination of the most important directions of further scientific studies, publishing activities, popularization of its activities.

The organizers of the conference expressed their deepest appreciation to all speakers and participants of the scientific meeting for their participation and active cooperation.

The information was provided by Ihor Havryshchak.

Photographs by Mykola Vasylechko.