College News
Mansfield Professor to play key role in new research hub to tackle challenges in quantum technologies
26 Jul 2024
Before embarking on a degree in Oxford, Oksana had begun working after having completed her Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Economic Cybernetics at the Taras Schevchenko National University of Kyiv. Shortly after the invasion of Ukraine, Oksana fled for the UK after her successful sponsorship application through the ‘Homes for Ukraine’ scheme, arriving in Oxfordshire in April 2022. Oksana says she was impressed at the “warm welcome” she has received upon her arrival.
It was only after visiting Oxford that Oksana “felt like Oxford was a reachable dream”. Oksana matriculated in October 2022 at the Sheldonian Theatre, the moment she was officially welcomed into the University of Oxford.
Now in her second term, Oksana reflects on her course and time in Oxford so far:
“I have been granted a precious opportunity to be a part of a world-class institution and it has already opened up many doors in the industry for me. The academic environment is stimulating and my course is intensive and challenging to say the least, but I am impressed by the diverse and supportive student community and I am grateful to be a part of it.”
Oksana hopes that her time in Oxford will boost her career opportunities by filling in the gaps in her knowledge so she can return to working in industry.
It has not been easy for Oksana to stay connected with her family in Ukraine. She says “my family are able to generate electricity through custom methods and are able to charge some devices so they can contact me”.
Oksana’s studies at Mansfield College have been made possible by philanthropic support from Mansfield’s alumni, particularly via our Giving Day in May last year. Mansfield College is proud to be a University College of Sanctuary, offering opportunities for individuals fleeing war and persecution to study at Oxford. It is our aim to raise additional funding so we can continue to empower individuals like Oksana and Erick Moreno Superlano, our Sanctuary Scholar, to study at Oxford and call Mansfield their home. If you would like to make a donation to support Mansfield’s Ukraine scholarship, please click here.
