The Student Association for Ukraine was founded in 2023 at the Universita della Svizzera Italiana (USI) as an immediate response to the full-scale invasion of the territory of Ukraine. Since our establishment, we have dedicated ourselves to supporting the most vulnerable Ukrainian populations in their homeland, and also Ukrainian students entering higher institutions through various projects aiming at creating an inclusive community.
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We welcome all students and community members to join our activities, as we believe building a strong community provides a vital link between students from all backgrounds. Our inclusive approach ensures everyone feels welcome and valued in our association, and we are grateful for the opportunity to learn from each other.
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We have started our initiative by collecting humanitarian aid for Ukraine on the principal campus in Lugano, and building a network with local NGOs, public institutions, businesses, and philanthropists in Ticino. Starting from scratch, our effortful teamwork and dedication to serve people in need, backed up by the synergy of empathic and ready-to-act third parties, let us provide humanitarian aid to Eastern Ukraine to the NGO Brave to Rebuild and support children in crisis by helping raise funds for sustaining a child psychologist at the NGO Trochy Vognju. To disseminate truth about the war events and their adverse consequences on every imaginable level, we organized exhibitions at USI and Villa Ciani. To reflect on the importance of recognizing the transgenerational war-induced psychological trauma, we hosted an international conference with experts in the fields of psychiatry, psychology, psychotherapy, and anthropology. We do not stop here. We observe the continuous need, and so we raise the value of expanding our mission.
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Currently, we are focused on developing the creative project "Circle of Trust" in cooperation with the Office of International Relations at USI, which aims to foster a smooth integration of people originating outside the EU in a higher education institution of the Canton Ticino, and build a cohesive and inclusive academic community welcoming diversity. Additionally, we continue to organize our popular hiking club activities, which provide opportunities for social connection while exploring the beautiful surroundings of our campus.
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Through our events and initiatives, we strive to raise awareness about acute social and geopolitical issues, promote cultural exchange, and enhance peer-to-peer learning as a shared value, creating meaningful and sustainable connections among our members.
You may get to know more about our mission and vision by watching this ⬇ interview
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7ZtEKl_Hq4
Upcoming Events: Сircle of Trust
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Email: [email protected]
Instagram: @safu_usi_supsi
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Founder/President of SAFU
Graduated from USI in 2025 with the second MSc in Cognitive Psychology in Health Communication. She has obtained her first medical degree and further specialization at the KNMU and KMAPO, Ukraine.
Driven by love for a human capacity of co-development, caring for, and nourishing all forms of living beings. She is touched by manifested acts of kindness and committed consideration whenever the situation allows.
Intends to create a sense of belonging, trust, reciprocated respect, openness, and sincerity within the groups to establish synergy of the enriching dance of life, which enables self-actualization and dedication to the shared goal, transcending an individual locus.