Then the rector of Uzhhorod National University Volodymyr Smolanka congratulated the audience on the beginning of the academic year. "We are starting this academic year in the classrooms, and I have to admit that all of us have been missing this mode of work a bit. We will closely monitor the situation with the COVID-19 pandemic and follow the government's recommendations."

Volodymyr Smolanka also touched upon the results of this year's university admission campaign. In particular, despite the fact that each entrant could submit a maximum of 5 applications, 14,329 applications have been submitted to UzhNU by the end of August, which is more than last year. According to preliminary results, 3,140 students have been admitted to the university and there is a trend that the number of students entering bachelor's degree will increase every year.

The vast majority of the the students who entered Uzhhorod National University are from the Transcarpathian region (93.37%), however, students from almost all regions of Ukraine will study at the university.

 In his speech, the rector also touched upon the development of science and innovation at UzhNU. Thus, in 2021, the financing of research projects from the government budget exceeds 9 million 812 thousand UAH. University scientists are carrying out 14 research projects (3 fundamental, 7 applied and 4 scientific ones performed by young scientists). A 390,000 UAH grant agreement for research with Shanghai Astronomical Observatory is also being implemented. It should also be noted that the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine allocated 96 government funded places for admission of PhD students in 2020/2021, which is by 10% more than in the previous academic year.

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, Uzhhorod National University is actively developing international cooperation. Thus, the university is implementing 12 international projects, the amount of attracted grant funds in 2020-2021 is 948,864.18 EURO. The university also has a high position in the rankings, in particular, according to Webometrics Uzhhorod National University ranks 11th, Scopus - 13th, SCImago Institutions - 22nd and in the Top 200 Ukraine - 13th. Uzhhorod National University has aso been awarded the status of an observer in the Times Higher Education ranking,” said Volodymyr Smolanka.