Psychology lecturer Kilian W. Wawoe of Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam has received an honorary professorship from Taras Shevchenko University in Kyiv.
The university awarded Wawoe the honorary title in recognition of his longstanding and dedicated commitment to psychological education in Ukraine, and in particular for his efforts in helping 35 Ukrainian students continue their studies at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam after the outbreak of the war. Wawoe has been involved in teaching at the university in Kyiv for over twelve years, offering unpaid lectures to psychology students every year.
“I gratefully accept this honorary professorship today. It places an obligation on me to continue contributing to the education of psychologists in Ukraine,” Wawoe said in his speech. “We may disagree on which weapons Ukraine should receive, but we cannot disagree that this country needs psychologists to cope with its traumas.”
Wawoe is the first foreign academic to receive this honor since the outbreak of the war. “Above all, I stand here in Kyiv today to let the people know that we have not forgotten them,” he added.
The distinction was presented during an official ceremony in Kyiv. The title was conferred by the rector of the university, in the presence of the Deputy Ambassador of the Netherlands to Ukraine.
Together with his VU colleague, Professor of Neuropsychology Erik Scherder, Wawoe is raising funds for Ukrainian psychology students, enabling them to pursue part of their studies in the Netherlands. Donations to this initiative can still be made.
In the coming years, Wawoe will continue his commitment to psychology education for Ukrainian students, allowing them to complete part of their studies in the Netherlands.
“I want to thank from the bottom of my heart all the parents who have entrusted me with their most precious gift: their child. I promise to continue dedicating myself to the education of psychologists in the Netherlands,” Wawoe said in his words of thanks.