The State University of New York at Potsdam Launches Dual Degree Program with Kyiv National Economic University in Ukraine

SUNY Potsdam and Kyiv National Economic University Sign Agreement Establishing Dual Degree Program to Prepare Future Leaders

Potsdam, NY (09/20/2022) — The State University of New York at Potsdam and the Kyiv National Economic University have signed an agreement to offer a new dual degree program, opening up future opportunities for Ukrainian undergraduates and solidifying a partnership between the two institutions.

SUNY Potsdam and the Kyiv National Economic University named after Vadym Hetman (KNEU) have partnered for more than a decade before beginning talks on creating a dual degree. Since 2010, the universities have partnered on educational exchanges, shared research and the development of online international business courses. Despite the ongoing war, both universities decided to move forward to seek approval for a long-sought joint study program, so that it is available for Ukrainian students once conditions allow.

"SUNY Potsdam is proud to establish this new dual degree program with our friends and partners at the Kyiv National Economic University (KNEU), one of Europe's premier institutions of higher education in business and management. In creating this new educational pathway, we express our commitment to Ukraine and to its future security and success. We look forward to soon welcoming the first cohort of KNEU students to our campus -- students who will, upon graduation, be ready to serve in leadership roles in the effort to rebuild and reunite Ukraine," said SUNY Potsdam Officer-in-Charge Dr. Philip T. Neisser '79.

The program will eventually allow students to earn both a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from SUNY Potsdam and a bachelor's degree in international economics from KNEU at the same time.

"We are inspired by the assistance the U.S. government in general and President Biden in particular provide to our country. The results of the latest advances of the Ukrainian Armed Forces give us optimism and confidence that the agreement signed between our universities will be fulfilled, and the citizens of both countries will have an opportunity not only to be proud of dual degrees, but also competitive advantages of the skills they have got," said KNEU Acting Rector Professor Dmytro Lukianenko.

Through the partnership, KNEU students will complete their first three years of study in Ukraine. In their fourth year, they will take a combination of online and in-person courses at SUNY Potsdam to earn their American degree, then return home to present their final thesis and graduate from KNEU.

"Kyiv International Economic University is a prestigious university with deep relationships with international companies operating in Kyiv, and very successful alumni. When we first started discussing this idea, their students were saying, 'Please, tell me when we can do this. I've always wanted to go to the United States.' The idea of studying here and walking across the stage in a cap and gown in America is exciting to them -- and of course we'd love to have them," said SUNY Potsdam Professor of Business Administration Dr. Gregory A. Gardner, who spearheaded development of the program.

As a retired U.S. Air Force officer and former Fulbright Scholar, Dr. Gardner has taught and traveled extensively in Eastern Europe, and was named an honorary professor at KNEU in recognition of his contributions there. He was instrumental in creating the new dual degree program, and worked to get the agreement approved even as conflict continues in Ukraine. Currently, virtual instruction continues at KNEU, with courses moving online to serve students fleeing the war and even those fighting on the front lines.

"It was clear to me that if these people will continue to teach classes and operate their university while being fired at, we sure ought to step up and bring this project to completion and bring them whatever opportunities we could," Gardner said. "We are determined to continue the program, to offer the opportunity to study with us. We're not going to let this go. It's too important to us and to them."

The program will be designed so that students can study online in the fall and then travel to Potsdam for the spring semester, allowing them to experience campus life and attend Commencement after successful completion of their degree. While in America, they will complete internships and have an opportunity to travel, while gaining new contacts and valuable experience.

SUNY Potsdam's Department of Business Administration offers flexible bachelor's and master's degrees in competitive fields, and provides students with an understanding of how for-profit and non-profit organizations function efficiently and effectively in the global marketplace. The College offers its undergraduate business administration program both at the Potsdam campus and in Watertown, N.Y., at Jefferson Community College. Its Master of Science program in management is offered 100 percent online, to serve graduate students around the world. For more information, visit http://www.potsdam.edu/academics/SOEPS/BusinessAdmin.

About Kyiv National Economic University:

Kyiv National Economic University named after Vadym Hetman (KNEU) was founded in 1906. Today, it is a leading public higher education institution of economics and business in Ukraine, with more than 11,000 students at its main campus in Kyiv and its branch/partner campuses elsewhere in Ukraine. Its mission is to contribute to the development of society through scientific research, the generation and dissemination of new knowledge and the training of competitive specialists and creative personalities. To learn more, visit kneu.edu.ua/en.

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