Success to the fullest: the story of Oleksandra Sniehur

They say that if, at the SEI ‘Ukrainian State University of Chemical Technology’, USUST, you stop by the clock of Lev Volodymyrovych Pysarzhevskyi, listen to its steady ticking for twelve seconds, and manage to make a wish, it is sure to come true. This is the story told by student Oleksandra Sniehur as she guides school pupils, prospective applicants, and first-year students through the Museum of the history of USUCT. She leads visitors along the university’s historical paths, shows them Ehrlich’s famous painting, speaks about lecture halls where the scent of chemicals mingles with chalk, and tells them about that very clock – a silent witness to the time since the foundation of the chemical technology university.

And, as she admits, she has often stopped by the clock, listened to the quiet ticking of the seconds, and made a wish. Oleksandra comes from Orlivshchyna, a picturesque area on the banks of the Samara River, a tributary of the Dnipro. She grew up in an ordinary rural family: her mother, Viktoriia, works as a shop assistant, while her father, Vitalii, is currently defending Ukraine in the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
 
Oleksandra studied at a school with a chemistry and biology focus, where chemistry and biology classes were held almost every day. It was during this time that she became interested in science, a field in which complex formulas explain the patterns of life. She was drawn to the idea that chemistry has the power to change the world, from the accidental discovery of penicillin to the creation of modern materials and technologies.
Oleksandra entered the university in 2022. She had been preparing for the external independent evaluation, but the full-scale invasion changed the usual course of life. Instead of taking the EIE, she had to sit the national multi-subject test, and the admissions campaign took place under the difficult conditions of wartime.
 
During this difficult period, she was supported by her family, especially her sister Anastasiia, who helped her prepare the documents and motivation letter. Her family believed in Oleksandra and supported her on her path toward the profession she had chosen.

Today, Oleksandra’s student life is not limited to her studies, it also includes active involvement in public life. She serves as Chair of the Student Council of the Faculty of Food and Chemical Technologies, takes part in organising university events, helps prepare scripts, and appears on stage as a presenter.

Previously, Oleksandra danced in the student ensemble ‘Euphoria’, but now she is focused on organisational work, where it is important to feel the atmosphere of an event, support the team, and take responsibility for the shared result.
 
According to the student, the university has taught her responsibility, teamwork, and the ability to support others. ‘If you can help, help. If you see that someone is struggling, do not go past. If you take on something, , follow it through to the end. to the end’, she says.
Oleksandra admits that she sometimes takes on more than she should and sometimes she feels tired. Nevertheless, she remains an optimist and is convinced that her ‘glass is always half full’.
 
The student is particularly interested in the development of Ukraine’s modern agricultural sector. She believes that agriculture should evolve not only as a raw materials industry, but also as a high-tech field driven by new approaches, automation, and innovation. After all, chemistry is not only a science, but also a foundation for production, environmental safety, development of food technologies, and food safety.
In the future, Oleksandra plans to continue her studies in a master’s programme and later pursue a PhD. It is possible, in her opinion, that her professional path will be connected with research and teaching. ‘Perhaps one day I will stand in front of a classroom of students and speak to them not only about formulas, but also about belief  in themselves’, she says.
 
Today, her dreams are simple and shared by every Ukrainian: peace in the country,  return of the defenders to their homes, and the opportunity to build future in Ukraine.
 
And when Oleksandra passes by Pysarzhevskyi’s clock once again, she smiles at her thoughts. After all, time truly works in favour of those who do not give up. And she stays strong, confidently moving towards her own success with faith in a strong future for Ukraine.