Students are not only young people seeking knowledge, but people who have become a symbol of freedom, struggle, and indomitable spirit all over the world.
The history of this day dates back to 1939. In Prague, on October 28, students demonstrated in honor of the anniversary of the formation of Czechoslovakia. The state was occupied by Germany then. The Nazis sent regular troops against the students and rounded them up. During the civil unrest a young medical student Jan Opletal was shot dead which led to mass protests. Repression against young people began. On November 17, students were arrested in Prague and other university cities. Nine leaders of student organizations were executed in Prague prisons, more than 1,200 were arrested and sent to the Sachsenhausen concentration camp the next day.
To commemorate these events in 1941, the International Student Council in London proclaimed November 17 as International Students' Day.
In the Ukrainian history, students have always played a key role: the Battle of Kruty, the November Act, the formation of the West Ukrainian National Republic, the struggle within the Ukrainian Insurgent Army, the Revolution on Granite, the Orange Revolution and the Revolution of Dignity - educated, indomitable, freedom-loving students became the driving force of this crucial period.
Today the Students’ Day is a holiday of youth, progress, ambitious plans for the future. And although we have to go through a challenging time and temporarily move into virtual life, we still want the student years not to lose their unique charm. We wish you inspiration, success and new achievements!
Sincerely, Rector Mykhailo Zgurovsky