Students from Afghanistan, Ukraine, and Russia Honored at Bard College Graduation

In the midst of Bard College’s regular commencement activities, students from Afghanistan, Russia, and Ukraine were honored in a special ceremony as they received their degrees. Family, friends, and colleagues, in person and online, celebrated the cohort of 53 students getting degrees from Bard College, the American University of Central Asia (AUCA), the American University of Afghanistan (AUAF), and Bard College Berlin. 
 
The majority of the group came to Bard via AUCA  after fleeing Afghanistan when the Taliban toppled the country's government in 2021. At that time, Bard partnered with AUCA and AUAF to help nearly 200 students migrate to institutions around the globe where they could continue their education in safety.

The commencement demonstrates the commitment of students and faculty at partnering network institutions to preserve learning and teaching in the most challenging of situations and the outstanding resilience of institutions that have been targeted by authoritarian governments. 

Svitlana Kukharuk, who is graduating with a BA in Human Rights, came to Bard College from Ukraine on a scholarship after the 2022 Russian invasion.  

“I’ve been at Bard for two years but it felt like much more just because of how rich the experience was,” says Kukharuk. She says she benefited greatly from the classes, faculty, and students she encountered at Bard. “I feel now, with all the experiences, knowledge, skills, and connections I got here, I can truly contribute to rebuilding my country. There was a feeling of hope that was truly guiding me through these challenging times,” she adds.

Sameem Nazari, who is graduating with a BA in Film, came to Bard from Afghanistan in 2022, after the Taliban takeover. 

“I was able to obtain a lot of different skills related to film, music, and event management,” says Nazari. “Thanks to the portfolio I developed at Bard, I was able to do a summer internship at a production company in California, where I worked on various awards shows, including the Oscars. I think that was a huge opportunity for me,” he says. 

The network applauds these graduates and all students being awarded degrees at partner institutions for their outstanding achievements in the face of extraordinary challenges.

Post Date: 05-27-2025