On 9 June 2018, an All-Ukrainian students conference titled ‘Uniting Youth in Implementing Information and Educational Projects’, organized within the framework of the Students’ Council under the Ministry of Information Policy of Ukraine, was held at the news agency Ukrinform’s ArtHub.
The participants of the event came forward with an initiative to implement a national patriotic education programme in Ukrainian universities. This area of the Ministry’s activity will be supervised by Volodymyr Zhemchuhov, a newly appointed Adviser on Implementing Education Programmes.
“Volodymyr Zhemchuhov proved with his deeds what real patriotism and sacrificial devotion is. Having suffered serious injuries and captivity, he did not break down and remained willing to be useful for his country. This person has something to say to our youth, and not only in terms of national patriotic education. Now he will be doing this in a new capacity,” the Minister of Information Policy of Ukraine, Yuriy Stets, was quoted as saying.
The programme, expected to begin as soon as in the next school year, will involve veterans of military action against the Russian aggressor in Eastern Ukraine.
In his speech before members of the Students’ Council under MIP, Mr Zhemchuhov stressed that he was going with renewed vigour to continue ‘war of liberation of minds and souls of Ukrainian youth’. “Old people live by memories, young people by dreams. I don’t think I’m an old man,” he added.
From December 2014 to September 2015, Mr Zhemchuhov carried out 30 special operations on destroying militants’ military facilities and their troops. On 29 September 2015, he blew himself up during another operation when he was nearly caught by the enemy, losing both hands and sight. Being severely injured, he was captured.
On 17 September 2016, Mr Zhemchuhov was freed from captivity with the personal participation of President Petro Poroshenko. On 21 January 2017, he was given the title of the Hero of Ukraine.