The Anti-Corruption Studies Master’s Program at Kyiv-Mohyla Academy annually brings together young professionals committed to tackling one of Ukrainian society’s most pressing challenges. The program, implemented by the Anti-Corruption Research and Education Centre (ACREC) at Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, combines theoretical knowledge with practical skills in preventing and combating corruption.
Oleksandra Chupyra, a first-year student and former political science undergraduate, is now an active volunteer who aims to transform her theoretical knowledge into practical experience in fighting corruption. Oleksandra shares her path to anti-corruption studies, her impressions of the program, and her plans for the future.
The Anti-Corruption Studies Master’s Program is conducted with support from the International Renaissance Foundation. This material represents the authors’ position and does not necessarily reflect the position of the International Renaissance Foundation.
In 2025, the Anti-Corruption Studies Master’s Program will be implemented thanks to the support of the American and British people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and UK International Development as part of the Promoting Integrity in the Public Sector Activity (Pro-Integrity).
What brought you to the Anti-Corruption Studies program? What does corruption mean to you, and why do you feel the need to fight it?
While other children watched cartoons, I grew up watching political talk shows. Political science was a perfect undergraduate major.
After graduation, I knew I wanted to continue my education at Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, but the political science master’s program, with its focus on European studies, didn’t align with my interests. Instead, I was much more drawn to corruption issues, which I see as one of Ukraine’s primary system-wide challenges. The Anti-Corruption Studies master’s program perfectly matched what I was looking for.
In my understanding, corruption is a defect that needs to be minimized as much as possible. I feel deeply connected to Ukrainian society and have a strong sense of responsibility toward it. I’m driven by feelings of gratitude, and my education and values allow me to reach my potential through helping Ukrainian society.
Why did you choose Anti-Corruption Studies over other specialties like Public Administration or International Relations?
I’ve got a super match with the anti-corruption field. This path perfectly aligns with my desire to address Ukraine’s biggest problems. Corruption is at the root of many other issues in our country – everything else grows from it. Instead of fighting the “tip of the iceberg” with isolated problems, this is about diving deeper – searching for problems within the system itself.
How do you find working with the practical aspects of the program: reading and interpreting laws and legal documents?
Reading laws and analyzing draft legislation has never been difficult for me. My political science studies at NaUKMA naturally flow into Anti-Corruption Studies. The master’s program’s focus on anti-corruption themes actually made things easier – it provided a specific specialization in one aspect of legislation.
I particularly enjoyed the course “Legal Foundations and Institutional Mechanisms for Preventing Corruption” by Mykola Khavronyuk and Tetiana Khutor. We spent considerable time studying criminal and administrative codes, and it was pure pleasure for me. It was also the course with my favorite homework assignments – I would spend nights reading the Administrative Code and actually enjoying it.
Do you have any experience in civic engagement or volunteering?
Since 2023, I’ve been helping two volunteer organizations. District Foundation (CF “DISTRICT#1”) is a non-profit organization operating in almost all war-affected regions of Ukraine. The foundation focuses on rebuilding destroyed housing, delivering humanitarian aid, restoring critical infrastructure, and preparing Ukrainian homes for winter. My role in this organization involves helping with humanitarian projects. UA First Aid is an organization that provides military personnel with individual first aid kits and blood transfusion kits for combat conditions, conducting targeted fundraising for medical supplies. There, I help with warehouse operations and optimizing mass packaging processes.
How do you plan to apply the knowledge gained from the Anti-Corruption Studies program?
I have three main goals. First, to find answers to my own questions and fill gaps in my understanding of certain processes. Second, to promote a culture of zero tolerance for corruption within my community. Third, to find the most effective way to apply my knowledge in practice.
I want to begin my professional journey in the civil society sector. I believe it’s important to first observe the system from the outside rather than immediately diving into existing processes. I’m really looking forward to the internship during my master’s program – after all the theoretical preparation in political science, I feel it’s time to transform knowledge into practical experience.
The “Anti-Corruption Studies” will begin to accept applications in the spring of 2025. Follow the ACREC Facebook page to be the first to hear about it!