The State Academic Scholarships named after the Heroes of the Heavenly Hundred honor the heroic deeds of the youngest members of the Heavenly Hundred. Each scholarship is named after one of the heroes and is awarded to students majoring in the same field as that person. "The Heroes of the Heavenly Hundred Scholarship is both a way to support talented youth and to honor our recent history. We thank the universities for their transparent selection process and guarantee adequate funding for the program. I believe that these students will carry the values of freedom and dignity into their professions and communities,” said Oksen Lisovyi, Minister of Education and Science of Ukraine.
Last fall, the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, by Order No. 1194, awarded 33 Heroes of the Heavenly Hundred Academic Scholarships to students at universities under the Ministry’s jurisdiction.
The academic scholarship named after Serhiy Baidovsky, a Hero of the Heavenly Hundred, was awarded to Mariia Zueva, a sophomore in the Department of Software Engineering in Energy at the Institute of IATE.
It is worth noting that Mariia came to KPI with a solid foundation of knowledge and experience participating in school subject Olympiads. In particular, she won the second stage of the All-Ukrainian Student Olympiads: first place in geography, third place in chemistry, and third place in biology. In addition, she led the student council at Secondary School No. 2 in Shepetivka and served as president of the school’s student scientific society “Intellect.” You’ll agree that the best universities would gladly open their doors to such an applicant. But among them all, she chose Kyiv Polytechnic Institute.
“University education is not only a period of acquiring knowledge but also a time of personal growth, when a person learns discipline, perseverance, and responsibility for their own choices. For me, such a conscious choice was Kyiv Polytechnic Institute and the ‘Software Engineering’ major, which I am currently studying,” says the student. “Studying at KPI helps shape not only professional competence but also character. It is here that I am learning to think systematically, find solutions in complex situations, and not shy away from challenges. Software engineering attracted me with its combination of logic, analytics, and a creative approach.
In this field, it’s important to see the big picture and take responsibility for every decision made. I’m truly glad that I’m studying at KPI, specifically in this major and specifically at the Institute of IATE, because the institute has a strong faculty that ensures a high standard of education, cares deeply about students, fosters analytical thinking, and supports our professional growth.”
It was no coincidence that the young woman spoke about overcoming challenges. After all, alongside her studies, she is actively involved in sports. Looking at this delicate, attractive young woman, it’s hard to believe that she is an experienced, well-known wrestler: a Ukrainian champion in combat sambo, kurash (a Turkic national belt wrestling style), and combat Jiu-Jitsu (a Japanese martial art), as well as a European champion and world championship medalist.
“Participating in international competitions and representing Ukraine has taught me that true achievements are the result of hard work, self-discipline, and belief in one’s own abilities. Sport has taught me to accept both victories and defeats with dignity, as every experience contributes to building inner resilience,” the athlete shares.
“Combining intense training with my studies at KPI has been an important lesson in balance and responsibility for me,” she continues. "The support of my professors and classmates plays a significant role in my development; without it, achieving my current results would have been impossible. Thanks to their help, understanding, and motivation, the learning process remains productive even during periods of increased workload."
The advisor of Group TV-42, where the scholarship recipient studies, Dr. Andrii Musienko, noted that Mariia also actively participates in the institute’s community life; in particular, she serves as the group representative, fosters unity among the student body, and supports her peers.
"Applying for the named scholarship was a conscious and responsible step for me. I view it not only as financial support, but as a sign of trust and recognition of my efforts. For me, this is additional motivation for further self-development, high academic performance, and active participation in the life of the university community,“ says M. Zueva.
In the future, the student plans to pursue a career as a software engineering specialist and ”combine professionalism, composure, and humanity in her work." “I am convinced that the path I have chosen shapes not only my career but also my personality. True strength lies in the ability to move forward confidently even in difficult conditions,” the scholarship recipient believes.