Engineer's project sends technical books to Ukraine (06/23/96)

Engineer's project sends technical books to Ukraine

WINNIPEG - A Canadian engineer and his family have undertaken a humanitarian aid project to help future engineering students in Ukraine. Walter J. Muzyczka of Winnipeg has sent over 350 kilograms (770 lbs.) of English-language technical books to a high school in the western Ukrainian city of Lviv.

Used books were donated by the University of Manitoba engineering library with the help of Dr. Dimos Polyzois, associate professor of structural engineering. Mr. Muzyczka arranged to collect, package and ship the more than 500 books overseas.

The Lviv Lyceum of Physics and Mathematics is a high school that prepares advanced students for university study in engineering and applied sciences. Mr. Muzyczka noted, "They are a new generation of future scientists, engineering managers and decision-makers for independent Ukraine."

In 1994, Mr. Muzyczka volunteered to work in Ukraine as an advisor to the Lviv Oblast government in the area of small hydropower development in the Carpathian mountains.

At that time, he had the opportunity to visit the Lviv Lyceum, meet with students and listen to their needs. "These are brilliant and articulate students who have great potential to contribute to rebuilding Ukraine," he observed.

Mr. Muzyczka said he wants to encourage this potential. "These students are studying English and are obviously discouraged by their lack of resources. Among other things, they need access to Western technical literature."

Mr. Muzyczka explained, "This project has very specific objectives. These books will give students the opportunity to become acquainted with English technical terminology and nomenclature, and help them open doors to the vast resources of technical information from the Western scientific community. It will also promote the transfer of Western methods, technologies and ideas to benefit Ukraine's emergence as a world power."

Ukraine is one of the largest countries in Europe with a population of more than 52 million. However, Ukraine is struggling economically in the wake of its break-up from the political structure of the former USSR in 1991.

Mr. Muzyczka pointed out, "How can you hope to rebuild a country when basic educational tools are not present? Right now, the Lviv Lyceum and other educational institutions in Ukraine are in desperate need of basic educational materials. In addition to English-language text books, they would benefit from paper, pencils, computers, software and photocopy machines. These are basic resources we take for granted."

The first shipment of books was sent out on February 1, and 12 more shipments followed in quick succession.

The Ukrainian Professional and Business Foundation of Winnipeg has already donated a third of the funds towards shipment. The Ukrainian Cultural and Educational Center of Winnipeg, Oseredok, has supported Mr. Muzyczka's efforts by agreeing to collect and administer the donations.

Mr. Muzyczka has made this a family project. He said, "My father, Frank, has been packaging and shipping parcels to family in Ukraine for years, and he has donated his time and effort to package the books. My teenage children, Alex and Monica, have helped by organizing the shipments."

Mr. Muzyczka added that more shipments of books and other supplies, such as paper, are planned as already there has been a response from numerous individuals and organizations.

Mr. Muzyczka, a professional engineer with Manitoba Hydro in Winnipeg, is a member of the Ukrainian Professional and Business Club of Winnipeg. He may be reached at (204) 474-3725 or by e-mail: [email protected]

Tax-deductible donations to help ship books may be sent to: The Ukrainian Cultural and Educational Center of Winnipeg - Oseredok, "English Language Technical Books to Ukraine Fund," 184 Alexander Ave. E., Winnipeg, Manitoba R3B 0L6.

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