Saskatchewan Renews Education Agreement with Chernivtsi Oblast

From October 17-24, 2008, Deputy Premier and Minister of Education Ken Krawetz visited Ukraine, where he renewed an education agreement between the Province of Saskatchewan and Chernivtsi Oblast, a region in Western Ukraine. The four-year agreement ensures the continuation of international activities in education, such as high school and post-secondary student exchanges, and skill development initiatives through Saskatchewan post-secondary institutions.

Collaboration in education between Saskatchewan and Chernivtsi Oblast dates back to 1977, when the University of Saskatchewan and the Chernivtsi National University signed an historic twinning agreement which allowed for annual exchanges of university students and professors. This was followed by an international agreement for collaboration in education between the Province of Saskatchewan and Chernivtsi Oblast in 1991, which was expanded in 1995 to include collaboration with other government sectors.

These agreements led to a series of successful student exchanges and education projects between Saskatchewan, Chernivtsi Oblast and the National Ministry of Education and Sciences in Ukraine. A key motivating factor for student exchanges has been the opportunity to improve communication skills in  Ukrainian or English in an authentic immersion environment.  In addition, students have gained an understanding of historical connections, societal values, and lifestyles in Canada and Ukraine.

“The visit to Ukraine demonstrates our province’s commitment to the important collaboration among our education partners which was begun in 1977.  Through the agreement’s renewal, Saskatchewan people will continue to gain valuable insights in international collaboration through the experiences gained in working with Ukraine.  Our work together strengthens learning opportunities and cultural ties that promote awareness and understanding among students, faculty, and business partners in both countries,” Krawetz said. 

“Nearly 14% of Saskatchewan’s population is of Ukrainian heritage.  This is reason enough to foster cultural understanding and continue building strong education, research and economic ties with Ukraine.  Recently, our province has been able to draw upon a network of community assistance for language support, cultural connections and settlement needs for immigrant workers and their families. This assistance has been informed by the knowledge gained through exchanges, projects, community initiatives, and collaborative ventures with Ukraine in various sectors” [stated Krawetz].

In his capacity as provincial Minister of Education, Deputy Premier Krawetz met with students, educators, and faculty from Chernivtsi Oblast who have participated in exchanges with Saskatchewan. The visit also provided the opportunity to:

•     tour educational facilities, including a daycare centre, a pre-school for visually-impaired children, and schools in both rural and urban settings

•     discuss enhanced summer program opportunities for Saskatchewan post-secondary students through the Ternopil National Pedagogical University and the Ramon Hnatyshyn Canadian Studies Centre at Chernivtsi National University

•     explore future opportunities for resource development and international skills-training initiatives using technology, and

•     promote Saskatchewan as a learning destination for international students and as a potential research partner with institutions such as the National Agriculture University.

While in Kyiv, Deputy Premier Krawetz met with project representatives of two successful Saskatchewan-Ukraine initiatives that are funded by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA).  The Facility for Agriculture Reform and Modernisation Program (FARM), which began in 2003, supports Ukraine’s agriculture endeavours in a market economy and has resulted in increased farm machinery sales and other agricultural services from Saskatchewan to the large Ukrainian market.  The Decentralised Management of Skills Training Project, an initiative of the Association of Canadian Community Colleges (ACCC) and the Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology (SIAST), strives to develop a practical, decentralised skills training system which will respond to local needs and contribute to the development of sound governance structures in Ukraine.

A highlight of the Deputy Premier’s visit to Kyiv was the opportunity to lay a memorial wreath at the Holodomor monument, accompanied by Canada’s newly-appointed Ambassador to Ukraine, His Excellency Daniel Caron.

Since its independence, Ukraine has sought international recognition of the Holodomor Famine Genocide, the infamous 1932-33 event where millions of Ukrainian people died as a result of starvation forced upon them by the Soviet regime.  Saskatchewan was the first province to pass legislation in recognition of the Holodomor as an act of genocide. On May 14, 2008, the Saskatchewan Legislature passed The Ukrainian Famine and Genocide (Holodomor) Memorial Day Act, which follows Ukraine’s practice to observe the fourth Saturday in November as the official day of remembrance for people who died as a result of the Holodomor and its oppression. This was followed by a motion in the Canadian House of Commons on May 26, 2008, recognising the Holodomor as genocide.

The Province of Saskatchewan has a well-established history of successful collaboration with Ukraine in a number of sectors. Both the Ministry of Advanced Education, Employment and Labour and the Saskatchewan Ministry of Education look forward to new initiatives in education, such as skills training programs, distance learning projects, language resource development, academic research and study opportunities. Such initiatives will assist the province in meeting the needs of a growing, dynamic international community.

Photos by Nadia Prokopchuk