Student self-government in the distance college OPTIMA

Our college held a special photo contest for students called "Create a Moment." It inspired young people to share the most vivid moments of their lives in photo format.

First Deputy President of the Student Self-Government Mykola Shvets initiated an exhibition of the best works — incredible shots created by students.

The unique exhibition in the college office gives you the opportunity to see the world through the eyes of talented young people.

The students works inspire creativity and show the beauty of ordinary moments in life!

Dear students!

The student council of the distance learning college announces a creative photography contest for everyone who loves to take pictures or pose in front of the camera!

The theme of the contest is "Create a Moment."

Your task is to convey the emotions, beauty and atmosphere of the world around you through photography.

Who is the competition for?

• Photographers: for those who know how to and love to capture unique moments.

• Models: for those who want to be part of the creative process and create something special.

Prizes and opportunities:

• The best works will be awarded with memorable prizes.

• The works of the winners and finalists will be presented at an exhibition in a shopping centre in Kyiv, which will be a great opportunity to showcase your talent to a wide audience.

How to participate?

1. Fill out the participation form : https://forms.gle/EHnoA5NGEtvoZ8UcA

2. Indicate your role : photographer or model.

3. Wait for further instructions from the student council.

Application deadline: 20 January 2025.

Organisers: distance learning college student council, first deputy president Mykola Shvets.

Contact:

For all questions, please contact Mykola on Telegram https://t.me/nikolaok

The initiative group of the Optima College student self-government organised a competition for the best logo for the college's computer game team, Born2Raven.

The winner was Sofia Shtemplyuk!

Congratulations to Sofia and thank you to each and every participant for their contribution to the development of our team. Together we are stronger!!

Students will have a unique opportunity to talk to people who prove by their own example that the path to success begins with the determination to act. The "Living Library" is a series of meetings where each speaker becomes a "living book," sharing their personal experiences, secrets of self-realisation, and answering questions from the audience.

The format of the event includes a 30-minute session with a guest, during which they tell their story and communicate with participants. Before the event begins, students will learn about the idea behind the project and the rules for participation, and after the presentation, they will have the opportunity to ask questions and share their impressions.

The meeting will be held online, participation is free, but registration is required. Speakers can be individuals who have interesting success stories, are ready for open dialogue, and are willing to share their recommendations for useful books and resources.

The Living Library is not just about stories, but an opportunity to find motivation, learn from experience, and become part of an active student community. Join us to create inspiring stories together!

Our students held their traditional film club and book club meetings. These projects are an ideal opportunity not only to watch favourite films and discuss books, but also to meet new people and simply have a great time.

This time, participants immersed themselves in the world of Harry Potter: they watched the film Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban together, then discussed the plot, compared the book and the film, shared their favourite moments and discussed interesting theories that are not on screen.

It was a cosy meeting: tea, warm conversations and a sea of inspiration. The magic of communication exists where there are interesting stories, good company and a desire to communicate. Thank you to everyone who joined us!

On 11 January, a remarkable event took place that transformed an ordinary winter evening into a true intellectual celebration — an open lecture on the topic "Greek Mythology. The Odyssey." This event brought together all fans of ancient culture under one roof, giving them the opportunity to immerse themselves in the world of legends and myths of Ancient Greece.

The event was organised and inspired by talented and tireless students: Sviatoslav Pushkar, Yana Oligova, Mykyta Rudnev, Zlata Ostrik, and Olga Romanenko. Their stories sounded like the songs of ancient bards, bringing to life the images of the heroic Odysseus, who battled sea storms, treacherous sirens, and relentless fate.

Each of them, like a skilled craftsman, strung words together, creating a colourful tapestry of myths, adventures and symbols. The fascinating stories about Odysseus' trials revealed not only his courage, but also his inexhaustible strength of spirit and love of life.

For those who wish to explore this topic in more detail, a presentation of the lecture is available — a true guide through the labyrinth of Greek mythology.

We look forward to the next meeting, because each such event is like a ray of light that brings new knowledge and inspiration!

Dear students! Members of our Book Club are organising an open lecture on "Greek Mythology: The Odyssey" for you. Come and support them! The meeting promises to be interesting!

Dear students!

We invite you to the next meeting of the Book Club, which will take place on 30 November at 4 p.m. We will immerse ourselves in the world of literature by discussing Donna Tartt's fascinating book The Secret History.

Don't miss the opportunity to discuss this impressive story with like-minded people! We look forward to seeing everyone there!

Christmas meeting of the film club!

OPTIMA students gathered at the Christmas and New Year online film club and watched their favourite holiday cartoon, "The Grinch," together. The screening was a great opportunity to relax and get into the holiday spirit!

Many students from different parts of the country joined the online viewing. They experienced the magic of spending evenings together, shared their emotions, and simply had a good time together!

Dear students!

On Saturday, 19 October, a student self-government meeting was held, at which a decision was made to create a Book Club! If you are fascinated by the world of books and want to share your impressions, thoughts and ideas, join us!

The first meeting of the Book Club will take place on 2 November at 4 p.m.

The topic of discussion will be "How to stay calm during a storm: lessons in stoicism."

We look forward to seeing you there!

On 10 December, our students joined an online lecture by Dmytro Yanishevsky, Candidate of Legal Sciences, Head of Information Security at OTP Bank and Chairman of the Payment Technologies and Cybersecurity Committee at NABU.

During the meeting, they discussed key aspects of digital security:

• the basics of cybersecurity in everyday life — how not to become a victim of hackers, what to pay attention to on social networks, messengers and when working with personal data;
• secure online and cashless payments — how to protect your finances, avoid fraud, and check the reliability of websites and applications;
• computer crimes and real cases — what modern cybercrimes look like, how to recognise them and what to do if a threat arises;
• the daily work of a cybersecurity specialist — what challenges face a professional responsible for protecting the information of a large bank, how cyber defence systems are built.

Students received practical advice and learned how to operate safely in a digital environment. The meeting gave them valuable experience and increased their awareness of cybersecurity issues.

Recently, first- and second-year students had the opportunity to learn more about design during an online meeting with Oleksandra Sviatskaya. Oleksandra is a professional graphic designer with over 10 years of experience working with leading brands such as Coca-Cola, Samsung, and River Mall.

Participants learned:

• what a graphic designer actually does;
• what prospects this profession offers;
• Oleksandra explained how the main tools — Figma, Illustrator, and Photoshop — work, showed the difference between vector and raster graphics, and talked about the principles of logo creation and DTF printing.

The meeting was a source of practical advice: from working with colour to finding your first clients and starting your career in the design industry.

The event was dynamic and inspiring, and it certainly left the students wanting to take their first steps in a creative profession. Thank you to everyone who participated!

On 8 June at 13:00, the college hosted an online training session entitled "Searching for External and Internal Resources". The training was conducted by experienced trainers from the non-governmental organisation "AVP-Alternative to Violence in Ukraine" as part of the international project "AVP International".

Our students enjoyed practical exercises, lively interaction, and a new and inspiring experience. The training lasted about 3.5 hours and was aimed at activating communication, restoring internal resources and life balance. This event was extremely useful for those who felt tired, demotivated and exhausted. The training took place on the ZOOM online platform and was free of charge.

We would like to thank all participants and organisers for their active participation and support!

An online meeting dedicated to digital marketing and career opportunities in this field was recently held. The speaker was Nastya Mogilyasta, a marketer by education and a digital manager with over 8 years of experience. Nastya has worked in both small Ukrainian businesses and global corporations such as Nestlé and LEGO, and was a mentor at Projector. She is currently the Digital Retention Manager in the Spanish division of the international company JTI (Japan Tobacco International).

During the meeting, the speaker talked about her own professional career and the specifics of marketing processes, sharing her experience of working with major international brands.

Participants learned about:

• the real limits and opportunities of the marketing profession;
• building marketing processes in global companies;
• digital — one of the most dynamic areas of marketing;
• skills for starting and developing a career in the profession.

The meeting was useful for anyone interested in marketing, planning a career in digital, or seeking to better understand how large international brands work.

Do you dream of becoming a young entrepreneur and starting your own business? Join the online entrepreneurship camp and discover endless opportunities for development and success!

Dates: 19-20 November | ⏰ Time: 10:00-14:00

For participants aged 14 and older who want to experience the true spirit of entrepreneurship, understand how business ideas are born, and create their own project.

What awaits you:

a two-day journey to your entrepreneurial dream under the guidance of business mentors;

an intensive seminar with specific tools for implementing ideas;

mastering key skills for a successful start in business.

In two days, you will:

learn how to generate ideas and present them;

take part in a competition for the best business idea;

receive advice from experts and learn leadership and entrepreneurship skills.

For the detailed camp programme, follow the link

Organiser: Junior Achievement Ukraine in partnership with Optima.

Start your journey to entrepreneurship today!

Dear students!

We invite you to take part in the Optimap campaign.

Many of our students are currently not only in Ukraine but also abroad. Therefore, the aim of the campaign is to unite students through an interactive world map on which their photos will be posted.

This map will be available on the student government page, allowing you to get to know our international student community. The initiative will not only emphasise our unity, but also promote new acquaintances and communication.

Both students living abroad and those remaining in Ukraine can take part in the campaign.

To participate, please send information about yourself (surname, first name, patronymic, age, city and country of residence, as well as your photos) to the Vice President for Science and Technology, Mykyta Rudnev, at the following link: https://t.me/prostomykyta

The campaign will have no clear time limits!

Let's unite, OPTIMists!

The online Dota 2 tournament has come to an end, bringing together 47 people eager to compete and show off their skills. Six teams were formed from the participants. The competition was held using a double elimination system: teams that lost in the first round were given a chance to return to the competition and make it to the final again.

In a tense and uncompromising battle, the victory went to the team consisting of:

• Maria Oleksandrivna Hrytsun (11P),
• Kudlay Mykyta Andriyovych (KN 23),
• Rivelis Oleksandr Oleksandrovych (PT 21),
• Nikita Yevgenyevich Korobka (PT 22),
• Yegor Serhiyovych Kryvosheyev (P 21).

We sincerely congratulate the champions on their well-deserved victory! Their coordinated teamwork and skill set an example of perseverance and unity.

The Counter-Strike 2 computer game tournament began on Saturday, 9 November, and lasted until 12 November. Thirty-nine participants applied to take part in the competition, four of whom withdrew, so 35 players competed in the tournament.

During the competition, the organisers closely observed the participants and selected the six strongest players, who were then formed into a college team. The team is led by Sviatoslav Pushkar, who will become the coach and prepare his players for future tournaments.

Team members:

• Olyushin Andriy — M-11,
• Andriy Shevchenko — PT-22,
• Andriy Vodyanitsky — KH-11,
• Artemiy Ganich — KN-21,
• Danylo Kozhushko — KH-25,
• Kapshuk Kirill — KN-11.

We wish all players luck and success in future competitions! May your skills, team spirit and strategic thinking lead you to new victories, achievements and professional heights!

On 1 October, the Counter-Strike 2 computer game tournament ended with the victory of the team consisting of Andriy Vodyanitsky (KN-11), Mykita Rudnev (KN-22), Dmytro Dorogavtsev (KN-22), Andrii Oliushin (M-11) and Yegor Mnatsakanov (KN-22).

We sincerely congratulate the students on this success! We wish the winners courage, endurance, strength and new achievements! After all, every victory is, first and foremost, a victory over oneself and a path to personal growth and development. Good luck in future competitions!

On 20 September, OPTIMA College and its partners — the UN Global Compact in Ukraine and the DTEK Academy — presented the Energy Engineer educational project at the Career Expo forum: https://charitymay.com/career-expo/

This course is designed for young people aged 18 and older and adults who want to gain a foundation in the electrical power industry. It covers the basics of electrical engineering and electrical safety, working with power lines and metering devices, and other key topics.

The training is conducted entirely remotely on the OPTIMA platform. Lectures, interactive videos, tests and assignments allow students to learn at a comfortable pace and immediately apply their knowledge in practice.

You can register for the course at: https://ukraineenergyinitiative.com/освітній-курс-енергетик.

This project is much more than just a course. It is the result of fruitful cooperation and expertise, as OPTIMA can implement large-scale educational solutions for any industry. In cooperation with such strong partners as DTEK and the UN Global Compact in Ukraine, we are proving that modern distance learning can change the future of the country!

On 20 November, an offline meeting of Optima College students took place at 4/10 Tbilisi Lane. The event was organised by psychologist, lecturer and curator Svitlana Mozgan. Twenty-five people took part in the meeting. Throughout the event, participants not only had the opportunity to get to know each other, but also to enjoy exciting games. The atmosphere of the event was relaxed and friendly, which contributed to good communication and a cheerful mood!

On 8 November at 13:00, a wonderful meeting of Optima College students and Optima School pupils took place in the atmospheric bookshop-café Staryi Lev in Lviv.

In a cosy atmosphere, the participants had the opportunity to get to know each other, share their impressions of their hobbies, and immerse themselves in the exciting world of board games.

The meeting took place in a warm and friendly atmosphere, which encouraged lively communication. Pupils and students expressed their desire to organise such events on a regular basis in order to create new opportunities for communication, development and interaction among like-minded people.

On 28 December, an offline meeting of Optima College students took place in Prague. Such events are extremely important because they not only help participants get to know each other, but also strengthen relationships, helping to form a cohesive community outside their homeland. Such meetings create a special atmosphere of unity and allow students to feel a deep connection with their home country, despite the distance.

The event was moderated by Svitlana Mozgan, a psychologist and college lecturer. She emphasised the extraordinary activity of the participants, their sincerity, openness and keen interest in such initiatives. This creates a basis for further interaction and community development.

Prague, 5 July. Students, curators, teachers. Smiles, hugs and incredible energy!

We got to know each other, played, laughed and simply enjoyed live communication. Svitlana Mozgan and Olga Doroshenko — our dear curators — made the meeting so enjoyable that we want more!

Thank you to everyone who joined us. You are an integral part of the big OPTIMISTIC family!

It was a super busy day! Together, we not only had fun and socialised, but also:

• explored new facets of ourselves;
• competed in contests and received gifts;
• took photos and charged ourselves with OPTIMISM!

Treats, pleasant conversations, and lots and lots of smiles — that's our student vibe! Thank you for joining us! We promise there will be more! After all, OPTIMA is not only a high-quality modern education, but also a progressive student community of the best.

OPTIMA is not only a high-quality education, but also a place where you can find true friends regardless of borders. Recently, OPTIMists met in Prague and got to know each other better.

The meeting was really eventful, as the students:

• played board games;
• shared their thoughts;

found like-minded people.

OPTIMists felt part of an active student community even abroad and spent their time together productively.

Distance learning does not limit socialisation, but opens up new opportunities for communication. According to the event moderator, the energy, sincerity and interest of our participants inspired new ideas for future meetings!

OPTIMA is more than just learning. It is a place where friendships are formed and new opportunities for communication are created!