Kherson State University

On April 7, 2026, a career‑orientation meeting was held with students of the general secondary education institution “Muzykivka Lyceum” of the Kherson Regional Council.

The meeting was attended by: Acting Dean, Professor, Doctor of Sociological Sciences Iryna Shaposhnykova; Head of the Department of Philosophy, Sociology and Social Work, Professor Serhii Kostiuchkov; and the program guarantors of “Sociology” and “Social Work and Counseling” — Tetiana Cherkashyna and Tetiana Shvets. The Head of the “Admissions Office” of the university, Nataliia Starodubets, was also present.

Today, April 3, 2026, another career‑orientation meeting was held with future potential applicants to our department. Today we met with the 11th‑grade graduating students of Kherson Educational Complex No. 56 of the Kherson City Council.The prospective applicants were welcomed by the Acting Dean of the Faculty, Professor, Doctor of Sociological Sciences I. V. Shaposhnykova. The Head of the Department, Professor S. K. Kostiuchkov, also delivered a brief address.

Students of the “Social Work” and “Social Work and Counselling” programmes traditionally demonstrate initiative and creativity in implementing various educational and social projects. This time, they have prepared a new career‑orientation video titled “Social Work and Counselling — It’s Cool!” In the video, first‑, second‑, third‑ and fourth‑year bachelor’s students share their own vision of the profession, highlighting its modern relevance, importance, and wide opportunities for growth.

On 27 March 2026, the assessment of the first‑year students of the I10 Social Work and Counselling master’s programme (full‑time study) for their field placement was conducted. The examination committee consisted of the Acting Dean of the Faculty, Professor I.V. Shaposhnykova; the Head of the Department, Doctor of Philosophy, Professor S.K. Kostiuchkov; and T.M. Shvets, Candidate of Pedagogical Sciences, Associate Professor, and guarantor of the Social Work and Counselling educational programme.

Today, on March 26, 2026, a career‑orientation meeting was held between the lecturers of the Department of Philosophy, Sociology, and Social Work of Kherson State University and prospective applicants to the degree programs “Social Work and Counselling” and “Sociology.” Today we were joined by students of the Kherson Scientific Lyceum of the Kherson Regional Council. During the meeting, the following speakers addressed the students: Acting Dean of the Faculty, Professor I. V. Shaposhnykova; Head of the Department of Philosophy, Sociology, and Social Work, Professor S. K. Kostiuchkov; 

On 19 March 2026, as part of Social Work Week dedicated to the celebration of World Social Work Day, the Department of Social Pedagogy and Social Work of Vasyl Stefanyk Carpathian National University and the Department of Philosophy, Sociology and Social Work of Kherson State University held a joint interdepartmental event. The event was moderated by Doctor of Pedagogical Sciences, Professor, and Professor of the Department of Social Pedagogy and Social Work at Vasyl Stefanyk Carpathian National University, O. L. Protas,

On March 18, 2026, the Department of Philosophy, Sociology and Social Work hosted a networking event titled “Social Work as an Activity and Profession Filled with Humanism and Compassion,” dedicated to World Social Work Day for first-year students of Group 111, full‑time programme, specialty I10 Social Work and Counselling. Networking is an activity aimed at exchanging information among people united by shared professional or personal interests, usually in an informal setting. 

13 March 2026, on the 82nd anniversary of the liberation of our city from the Nazi occupiers during the Second World War, the book “Kherson Residents in 2022–2025” was presented in Kherson — a collection of personal memories by city residents about their lives during this period.

The book brings together stories and photo chronicles from doctors, utility workers, firefighters, rescuers, volunteers, educators, cultural figures, and representatives of other fields.

Yesterday, on March 10, 2026, a warm and solemn meeting was held at the Kherson State University office in Ivano-Frankivsk, along with an online broadcast of a university-wide cultural and artistic event dedicated to the creative legacy of Taras Hryhorovych Shevchenko. The poetry café “Well, what are words, it would seem…”

The event featured open readings of poetic works, lyrical excerpts, and original interpretations of Taras Shevchenko’s poetry.

Good news! 

In the second stage of the All-Ukrainian Competition for the Defense of Research Projects by Student Members of the Junior Academy of Sciences of Ukraine in the 2025/2026 academic year, first place was awarded to Ksenia Fertak, an 11th-grade student of the Regional Scientific Lyceum of the Kherson Regional Council, for her research project “Developing National-Patriotic Identity and Value Orientations of Youth through Student Self-Governance in Wartime Conditions.”

On 4 March 2026, a guest lecture was delivered by Doctor of Philosophical Sciences, Professor Serhii Karpych Kostyuchkov for second- and third‑cycle students of the History programme at Uzhhorod National University. 

The lecture topic was: 

“Terrorist Attacks by the Russian Army on Ukrainian Cities: A Military Operation Format or Systemic Omnicide

(the Case of the Hero City of Kherson)”.

Today, on 2 March, the Department of Philosophy, Sociology and Social Work held its March meeting, during which the faculty members discussed the key areas of work for the current semester and agreed on further steps in educational, research, and outreach activities. The discussion focused on issues related to the organisation of the educational process, preparation for accreditation procedures, updating of syllabi, implementation of modern teaching methods, as well as career guidance initiatives.A significant part of the meeting was devoted to the department’s research activities.

Today, February 27, 2026, a career guidance meeting was held for future graduates of Kherson Lyceum No. 51, under the Kherson City Council. The event helped eleventh-grade students take another step toward making an informed choice about their professional path. The participants explored current educational trends, modern labor market demands, and opportunities available after graduation.

The conference featured presentations of educational programs by Professor S.K. Kostyuchkov, Head of the Department of Philosophy, Sociology, and Social Work;

The Coordination Center for Mental Health of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, in cooperation with DIGNITY – the Danish Institute Against Torture – and funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark within the All-Ukrainian Mental Health Program “How Are You?” – an initiative of First Lady Olena Zelenska, held yesterday, February 25, 2026, a presentation of the Infobox for interaction with those released from captivity.  Participants of the event discussed practical mechanisms for providing comprehensive support to individuals released from captivity, as well as identified the next steps for interagency cooperation.

On February 20, 2026, the assessment of the pre-graduation internship for fourth-year students of the first (bachelor’s) level of higher education, specializing in "Social Work and Counseling" and "Sociology," took place. The examination committee, consisting of the Dean of the Faculty of Psychology, History, and Sociology, Professor and Doctor of Sociological Sciences Iryna Vasylivna Shaposhnykova, and the Head of the Department of Philosophy, Sociology, and Social Work, Professor Serhii Karpovych Kostyuchkov, conducted the assessment for the bachelor’s students.

On February 16, 2026, the on‑campus study week began for students of the second (master’s) level of higher education in the specialty I10 Social Work and Counseling.

  The meeting was opened by the Dean of the Faculty, Professor, Doctor of Sociological Sciences Iryna Shaposhnykova. 

  All academic staff members of the department were present, as well as an invited guest — Yevheniia Bardiak, Head of the youth NGO “Moloda Prosvita” and a deputy of the Ivano-Frankivsk Regional Council.

Today, on February 13, 2026, the final conference and assessment for the educational practice took place for second- and third‑year students of the specialties 231 Social Work and 054 Sociology, as well as for first‑year students of the specialty I10 Social Work and Counselling (shortened study program).

The conference was attended by the Acting Dean of the FPIS Faculty, Professor, Doctor of Sociological Sciences Iryna Vasylivna Shaposhnykova, and the Head of the Department of Philosophy, Sociology, and Social Work, Professor Serhii Karpovych Kostiuchkov, who served as members of the assessment committee.

On February 12, 2026, one of the most significant academic events of the year took place at the Ivano-Frankivsk office of Kherson State University — the solemn graduation ceremony for master’s students. The festive event brought together graduates, their lecturers, families, and friends to celebrate the completion of an important stage in their professional development.

During the ceremony, heartfelt congratulations and words of gratitude were extended to the lecturers and mentors. The graduates were wished confidence, courage, and inspiration as they embark on the next chapter of their lives.

On February 9, 2026, an online career‑orientation meeting was held between representatives of the Department of Philosophy, Sociology, and Social Work of Kherson State University and representatives of the Admissions Committee, together with future graduates of the Chornobaivka Lyceum of the Chornobaivka Village Council, Kherson District, Kherson Region.

The department was represented by Acting Dean of the Faculty of Psychology, History, and Sociology, Doctor of Sociological Sciences Iryna Vasylivna Shaposhnykova,

The second semester of this academic year begins with educational practice for 2nd- and 3rd‑year students of the first (bachelor’s) level of higher education in the specialties 231 Social Work and I‑10 Social Work and Counseling, as well as for the specialty C5 Sociology. On February 2, 2026, the practice supervisors, I.V. Shaposhnykova and S.K. Kostiuchkov, welcomed the students at the start of the second semester and held an orientation conference during which the purpose of the practice, its main tasks, and the conditions of its implementation were outlined. 

From 26 to 30 January 2026, Kherson State University hosted an intensive programme of the School of Professional Development. Over the course of five days, participants immersed themselves in modern approaches to teaching, academic integrity, digital transformation, and professional self‑care. The first day began with an official opening, a motivational address by Oleksandr Spivakovskyi, and an introduction to the course delivered by Serhii Omelchuk and Yuliia Yurina. The day concluded with an expert panel by Ivan Nazarov dedicated to updates in academic integrity legislation.

On 13 January 2026, Candidate of Pedagogical Sciences and Associate Professor T. M. Shvets took an active part in the webinar “Prevention of Risky Behaviour Among Youth”. The webinar is part of the project “National Self‑Education Platform”, created by the Coordination Centre for Mental Health under the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and the NGO “Barrier‑Free”, within the All‑Ukrainian Mental Health Programme How Are You?—an initiative of First Lady Olena Zelenska, supported by the “Partnership for a Strong Ukraine” Programme funded by the Governments of the United Kingdom, Estonia, Canada, Norway, Finland, Switzerland, and Sweden.

On 29 December 2025, the final conference on pre‑graduation practice was held for first‑year full‑time students of the second (master’s) level of higher education in the specialty I10 “Social Work and Counselling”.

The students presented the initial steps and preliminary results of their future master’s research projects. All participants received grades of “excellent” or “good”.

In early December, the educational platform of the National Festival “Code of the Nation” announced the launch of the Human Rights Day Testing, which is observed worldwide on December 10.

The testing was created and conducted to commemorate the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948.

Our students, Tetiana Savchenko and Iryna Verzun, took part in the testing and received certificates.