SET University Celebrates a Historic Moment: First Master’s Graduation

On May 28, at UNIT.City, a milestone event took place – the first-ever SET University Graduation Ceremony 2025. This year we awarded diplomas to 24 Master’s graduates in “Innovative Engineering” and “Cybersecurity” – and this is just the beginning.

Iryna Volnytska, President of SET University, congratulated the graduates on their first major achievement:

“We are all a bit crazy, because the university was launched at the start of the full-scale war. But looking at you today, I understand – it was the right choice. You will forever remain a special class: not just the first Master’s graduates, but the first who believed in SET.”

Tymofiy Mylovanov, President of Kyiv School of Economics and Co-Founder of SET, emphasised that this year is historic not only for the university but also for the entire industry:

“Innovation today is the only thing that allows the world to stand firm. To face challenges, we need positivity. And that positivity is technology.”

Maksym Pochebut, Rector of SET University, thanked the graduates and stressed:

“The step into the future we take depends on all of us. I invite you to take this step together. Come back, stay part of our community not only on Discord. Become lecturers, mentors, share new ideas. We want the SET Master’s alumni community to become the most influential in Ukraine.”

Serhii Tokarev, Co-Founder of SET and Tokarev Foundation, shared heartfelt thoughts:

“I want to tell you something important about our world – it is constantly changing. Right now – because of and thanks to AI. In three years, we will not recognise it. And we need to get used to that. Change is the only constant in life. So here are my three tips. First – keep learning. Second – if you choose entrepreneurship as your life’s work, that’s great. But if you realise it’s not for you – that’s fine too. Don’t listen to those who say you must only work for yourself. Third – go where you are interested. Even if it’s scary, even if it seems overcrowded. That’s not true – every niche has room for new ideas.”

The Graduation Ceremony was filled with insights, with words of encouragement from both SET co-founders and representatives of various industries. Our university is a meeting point of business and the education of the future. We aim to be closer to industry: to hear it and shape a new reality for innovation in Ukraine together.

Andriy Fedoriv, Founder of Fedoriv Group, noted:

“The main product of your life is yourself. If you want to remain relevant for a long time, then at some point, when you are at the peak of success and receive applause, you will need to take a step down and start doing something ‘poorly’ again. But those things will be new – and they will be what is needed the day after tomorrow. Don’t be afraid of that.”

Noubar Afeyan, Co-Founder of Moderna, who recorded a video greeting especially for the first graduates, added a few important thoughts:

“Surviving means simply making it to the next morning. Thriving means growing, flourishing, and becoming better. The most successful entrepreneurs – and I would say leaders in any field – know how to balance between these two states.”

We have ambitious plans ahead: expanding international ties, cooperating with leading universities and business partners, launching industry projects, and scaling SET. Next year we will welcome a new wave of Master’s graduates – with diplomas and ambitions on a higher level.

This is not the end, but only the start of the journey. And we are truly excited to be alongside the future leaders of the IT industry at the beginning of this path.