On Friday, March 7, 2025, the University of Massachusetts Amherst had the privilege of hosting Dr. Tymofiy Mylovanov, President of the Kyiv School of Economics (KSE), for a thought-provoking talk hosted by the Office of Global Affairs and the UMass INFORMS Student Chapter. Dr. Mylovanov, a former Ukrainian Minister of Economic Development, Trade, and Agriculture, and Associate Professor at the University of Pittsburgh, shared his insights on leading KSE during wartime, the resilience of Ukraine, and the broader implications for Europe and the United States. His visit underscored the growing partnership between UMass Amherst and KSE, a collaboration that continues to support scholars, students, and research amid Ukraine’s ongoing challenges.
A Warm Welcome and Engaging Pre-Talk Chat
The day began with a friendly gathering in Isenberg Room 111, where faculty, PhD students, and KSE exchange students gathered. Dr. Mylovanov and Professor Anna Nagurney, the Eugene M. Isenberg Chair in Integrative Studies and Director of the Virtual Center for Supernetworks, joined the group after lunch to host the session. Participants included Dr. Senay Solak, John F. Smith Memorial Professor and Department Chair of Operations and Information Management; Dr. Bogdan Prokopovych, Senior Lecturer in Management; PhD candidate Dana Hassani; and PhD students Samira Samadi, Yongdong Chen, and Ismael M. Pour. Joining them were KSE exchange students Asta Motrenko, Karyna Lutsenko, and Oleksandra Horusieva, who are currently studying at UMass Amherst as part of the partnership. The group enjoyed a lively discussion before escorting Dr. Mylovanov to the Integrated Applied Life Sciences Conference Center (Room S330-S340) for his presentation.
The Talk: “Future of Europe if Ukraine Loses”
From 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM EST, Dr. Mylovanov delivered an engaging presentation introduced by Professor Anna Nagurney. Professor Nagurney, who also serves as Co-Chair of the KSE Board of Directors, praised Dr. Mylovanov for his tremendous work leading KSE in wartime, tripling student enrollment, launching new master’s programs, and hosting global speakers despite the conflict.
Kalpen Trivedi, Vice Provost for Global Affairs and Director of the Office of Global Affairs, reflected on the partnership’s potential, expressing openness to further collaboration and new ideas to strengthen ties between UMass and KSE. Kalpen Trivedi then offered welcoming remarks and presented Dr. Mylovanov with a gift on behalf of UMass Amherst.
The talk, titled “Future of Europe if Ukraine Loses,” explored the stakes of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and its potential ripple effects across the continent and beyond. Dr. Mylovanov highlighted Ukraine’s resilience, and emphasized KSE’s role as a hub of education and research, with its Institute producing studies widely cited by global media. Shifting to a broader view, he addressed the uncertainty facing Europe and the world: “Four, six weeks ago, this scenario seemed extreme, but you see how things have evolved in four, six weeks and at this rate of uncertainty anything can happen.” Reflecting on Europe’s role, he noted, “It does provide a nice angle, as a counterfactual, of what would happen to Europe and what is at stake for Europe in the current situation.” His talk offered a framework for understanding these complex issues, blending data, personal experience, and a call to consider the global implications.
Q&A and Reception
The lecture was followed by an engaging Q&A session, during which attendees had the opportunity to ask insightful questions. Topics discussed included the role of technological innovations in warfare, geopolitical alliances, Europe’s strategic choices, and the critical role universities can play in supporting Ukraine through research partnerships and scholarly exchanges.
The event concluded with a reception from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM in Room S320, where warm conversations flowed alongside food and drink. Faculty, students, and guests reflected on the talk, strengthening ties between UMass Amherst and KSE.
Since March 2022, UMass Amherst and KSE have collaborated to support Ukrainian scholars and students affected by the war through a highly original model. This includes a virtual scholar program, on-campus residencies, and hosting exchange students like Asta, Marharyta, Karyna, and Oleksandra, helping reduce brain drain and fostering research collaborations that have led to joint publications and symposia.
Dr. Mylovanov’s visit was a testament to his leadership—not just of KSE, but as a voice for Ukraine on the global stage. As he navigates wartime challenges, Dr. Mylovanov remains driven by a clear purpose. “We all will die, so we need to identify what will be our legacy,” he said during a prior visit—a sentiment that resonates as he builds KSE into a beacon of resilience and hope.
Thank You
Our heartfelt thanks go to Dr. Tymofiy Mylovanov for his inspiring visit and to the Office of Global Affairs—Kalpen Trivedi, Vice Provost for Global Affairs and Director; Kimberly Stender, Senior Administrative Coordinator to the Vice Provost for Global Affairs; Eric Wirth, Manager of Global Partnerships; and Kenneth Reade, Executive Director of Immigration Services—for their support. Special gratitude to Professor Anna Nagurney, our UMass INFORMS Student Chapter faculty advisor, and to UMass Amherst and everyone who made this event possible.