The clean-up of the grounds at Uzhhorod University was originally scheduled for 6 April, but unexpected weather changes threw a spanner in the works. Snow fell in the middle of spring, so the event had to be postponed until 11 April. This time, the day turned out to be sunny and warm.
All faculties holding in-person classes joined the university clean-up. Each had its own section, which students cleared of branches, leaves and dry grass.
Female students from the Faculty of Philology during a community clean-up
‘We’re really pleased to have the chance to tidy up the grounds of our beloved university. When we go to class, the first thing we see is the university courtyard. We want it to be clean and well-maintained at all times, so we’re always ready to get involved in initiatives like this. Especially as it’s beneficial not only for society, but for each and every one of us,” say first-year students from the Faculty of Philology.
According to Pavlo Mulesa, the clean-up was mainly joined by second-year students specialising in ‘Mathematics’ and ‘Applied Mathematics’.
One of the participants in the clean-up, second-year Mathematics student El-Fakih Muhammad Ali, says: “My classmates and I walk along this path every day, so we were keen to help clean it up. The atmosphere was friendly and relaxed — we finished the job in an hour. There were quite a few interesting finds, but what surprised us most was a box for a wedding ring.”
All in all, whilst having a laugh under the warm April sun, they collected two bags of rubbish. The students remind us: a place isn’t clean where people tidy up, but where they don’t litter.
As well as the students, staff members also helped to tidy up. Everyone tried to do their bit for the common good. Together, they managed to collect mountains of rubbish, which was later removed from the university grounds.
“We hold a community clean-up every year before Easter. We tidy up the area around the teaching blocks and halls of residence so that it is a pleasure to look at. In this way, the environment where we work and live becomes more comfortable and attractive,” notes Ihor Korol, Vice-Rector for Academic and Pedagogical Affairs at UzhNU, adding that the campaign is not a one-off event. In particular, a clean-up is planned for May, not only around the academic buildings but also in the UzhNU Botanical Garden.
