UKRAINIAN RESOURCE and DEVELOPMENT CENTRE
Awards and Bursaries
Media artists, folk artists, new writers, musicians—if you are a MacEwan student whose creative projects have a Ukrainian or Ukrainian-Canadian focus, our awards program is for you.
The application deadline is November 30, unless otherwise noted in an award's information sheet. Award winners are announced in the spring.
MacEwan University is supporting scholars from its partner universities in Ukraine with five non-residential grants.
Non-residential Grants for Ukrainian Scholars Information Sheet
This award is offered annually for a project that fosters a greater awareness of Ukrainian art in Alberta. This project may be an exhibit, tour, festival, educational program or other special project.
Anna (nee Raycheba) Pidruchney was an Alberta homesteader, community activist, artist and author of two books about Ukrainian Canadian pioneer life. She taught numerous writing classes in both the Ukrainian and English languages and had a special interest in young people. The award’s purpose is to advance the University’s goals, particularly for the following purposes: Supporting MacEwan University students and alumni.
This award was established in commemoration of the 25th anniversary of the passing of Roman Soltykewych, and in recognition of his work in developing and fostering love and understanding of Ukrainian choral music. It is awarded annually to any qualified applicant (individual or group) determined to pursue further studies in the field of Ukrainian choral or vocal music.
This award was established through the Ukrainian Music Society of Alberta (UMSA), in commemoration of the life of Serge Eremenko, one of the founders and a life-long member of the organization. UMSA is dedicated to promoting the awareness and development of Ukrainian music in Alberta. It is awarded annually to any qualified applicant (individual or group) planning to pursue further studies in the field of Ukrainian music. Courses of study or workshops, in progress or recently completed, will be considered.
The Ukraine Millennium Foundation promotes Ukrainian Music in Alberta and encourages students and the general public to pursue and develop their interest in the field of Ukrainian music.
Congratulations to our 2024 award winners!
Alberta Council For The Ukrainian Arts Award ($500)
Feyeria Bandura Group, traditional Ukrainian music
Anna Pidruchney Memorial Award ($1,300), MacEwan students
Sofiia Kostashchuk, Faculty of Fine Arts and Communications
Maksym Hutsuliuk, School of Business
Roman Soltykewych Music Scholarship ($1,000)
Olesia Shewchuk, conductor of the Ukrainian Barvinok Choir
Serge Eremenko Music Award ($500)
Viter Ukrainian Dancers and Folk Choir
Ukraine Millennium Foundation Award ($1,000), MacEwan students
Schubert Hernando, Bachelor of Music, major in Composition
Byrne McMullen, Bachelor Music, major in Performance
Kate Stephensen, Bachelor Communication Studies, music research
Meet our non-residential scholar grant recipients
Recognizing the need for urgent support of Ukraine’s intellectual community in the face of Russia’s war of aggression, the Ukrainian Resource and Development Centre has awarded six grants that support academics from MacEwan's partner universities in Ukraine. MacEwan academics are welcome to join any of these research projects and collaborate with the Ukrainian colleagues. Contact the URDC for details on working with a non-residential scholar.
Mariia Stokolias (M. Lysenko Lviv National Music Academy): Embodiment as a Predisposition and Expressive Paradigm of Musical Performance
Mariia Stokolias is a post-graduate researcher, professional singer, and senior teacher of jazz and pop vocal at the M. Lysenko Lviv National Music Academy, Ukraine. With a Master of Musical Art and over 20 years of experience in music and pedagogy, her research focuses on embodiment as a predisposition and expressive paradigm of musical performance. Her project explores the intricate relationship between body, voice, and artistic expression, aiming to develop theoretical and practical tools that enhance vocal performance and music education. By analyzing embodiment through philosophical, psychological, and artistic lenses, she seeks to bridge the gap between theoretical discourse and practical application in contemporary music performance. Her research contributes to a deeper understanding of how the physicality of performance shapes artistic interpretation, with a particular focus on Ukrainian pop music culture.
Artem Kornetskyy (Ukrainian Catholic University): Building a Theoretical Foundation for Social Entrepreneurial Ecosystems
Dr. Artem Kornetskyy is an associate professor at the Ukrainian Catholic University and a co-founder of the Ukrainian Social Venture Fund. His research focuses on developing a theoretical framework for fostering a robust social entrepreneurship ecosystem, particularly in Ukraine’s post-war economic recovery. His project examines the key elements necessary for supporting social enterprises, including legal frameworks, financial access, and capacity-building initiatives. By integrating global best practices, his work aims to provide practical guidelines for entrepreneurs, policymakers, and organizations to strengthen Ukraine’s social economy. Through research collaboration, public lectures, and academic dissemination, Dr. Kornetskyy contributes to building an inclusive and resilient social entrepreneurship landscape in Ukraine.
Gayana Yuksel (Volodymyr Vernadsky Taurida National University): Crimean Tatars: History, National Movement, and Modernity in the Context of Russia’s War Against Ukraine
Prof. Dr. Gayana Yuksel is a journalist, researcher, and member of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People. She is a professor at the Department of Journalism at Volodymyr Vernadsky Taurida National University and an expert in media studies, information policy, and Crimean Tatar history. Her project examines the historical and contemporary role of the Crimean Tatars in Ukraine, focusing on their national movement, identity preservation, and participation in the country’s defense amidst Russian aggression. Through archival research, interviews, and academic publications, she aims to document the Crimean Tatar struggle for self-determination and highlight their contributions to Ukraine’s sovereignty. The project will also include public lectures to raise awareness about the Crimean Tatars’ historical experiences and their role in modern Ukraine.
Sofiya Opatska (Ukrainian Catholic University): Business Resilience and Strategic Decision-Making in Times of Crisis
Dr. Sofiya Opatska is the Vice Rector for Strategic Development at Ukrainian Catholic University and the founding dean of its Business School. Her research focuses on crisis management, organizational resilience, and leadership in times of war. Her project explores how Ukrainian and international businesses navigate the challenges of geopolitical crises, particularly the war in Ukraine. Through case studies, she examines the strategic decisions of companies operating in Ukraine, as well as international firms that withdrew from the Russian market after the full-scale invasion. The research aims to create educational materials that provide insights into crisis-driven decision-making, benefiting students and professionals in both Ukraine and Canada.
Olha Poliukhovych (National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy): Ukrainian-Canadian Dialogue: Rethinking Myrna Kostash’s Heritage
Dr. Olha Poliukhovych is the Vice President for Research and Academic Affairs and an Associate Professor at the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy. Her research focuses on Ukrainian literature, identity, and cultural memory. Her project explores the literary legacy of Canadian writer Myrna Kostash, aiming to introduce her work to Ukrainian audiences through translation and academic commentary. As part of this initiative, Dr. Poliukhovych collaborates with Dr. Jeffrey Stepnisky, Kule Chair of Ukrainian Community and International Development at MacEwan University, whose expertise in collective memory studies will contribute to understanding the reception of Ukrainian heritage across cultures. The project’s outcomes will include a translated and annotated essay, scholarly analysis, and public discussions on Canadian-Ukrainian literary dialogue, enriching both academic and cultural exchange.
Marharyta Chabanna (National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy): External Migration During the Full-Scale War in Ukraine: Pull and Push Factors
Dr. Marharyta Chabanna is the Head of the Political Science Department at the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy and an expert in migration studies and democratic transformations. Her research focuses on the unprecedented migration crisis triggered by Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Her project analyzes the factors influencing Ukrainian migrants’ decisions to return or integrate into host countries, considering security concerns, socioeconomic status, and personal motivations. Using a mixed-methods approach, Dr. Chabanna applies migration theories to assess the evolving push and pull factors shaping migration patterns. Her study contributes to understanding how policy measures, labor markets, and social networks impact the reintegration of displaced Ukrainians and the rebuilding of Ukraine’s post-war society.