A Ukrainian refugee who fled the Russian invasion has graduated from Edinburgh Napier University, where she dedicated her degree to her late father.
Olha Pnivchuk completed her studies in International Business Management at Edinburgh Napier University, and graduated at the Usher Hall in the city last week.
The 26-year-old graduated alongside Ukrainian diplomat Andrii Kuslii, who received an honorary doctorate for his work integrating displaced people in Scotland.
Olha moved from her home near Lviv to the Scottish capital with her mother following the outbreak of war in 2022. Her father, who was receiving treatment for cancer at the time of the invasion, passed away in 2023.
Olha, who previously worked as a translator for the Ukrainian police, stated that her father would be proud of her achievements. She said: “I was 22 when the war started. I’d just started my life, to realise who I am. Then the war happened and my father was dying.
“My dad wanted us to move. He would be really, really proud of me.
“I feel like graduating is one of my biggest accomplishments in life. It was a lot for me, but I pushed myself to do it.”
Overcoming grief and adapting to life in a new country made for a difficult start to student life for Olha, all while worrying about friends and family back home.
She has expressed particular thanks to Edinburgh Napier’s Wellbeing and Inclusion team for supporting her throughout.
Olha added: “Sometimes I feel bad that I am here. A lot of my friends are at home and the war is still going on. We really can’t change that.
“Studying at first was a lot for me. I hadn’t studied management before and I was doing it in my second language.
“After several weeks, I felt like I was starting to cope. I made new friends on the course and had a lot of support from the University. They really helped me a lot.
“I had a lot of panic attacks when my dad died. It still happens but now I am a lot better.”
Olha hopes to combine her command of five languages with her new management qualification in her future career in her adopted city.
Olha said: “I am so happy that I moved to Scotland. The people are so kind and supportive. I am happy that I have started a new chapter of my life here.
“Edinburgh is so beautiful – it’s like a fairytale. Each street has its own story. I sometimes feel like a little girl exploring it, it’s really inspiring.
“I am now thinking what I want to do with my life.”
Mr Kuslii was recognised by the university for his diplomatic work as the head of the Ukrainian consulate in Edinburgh. He worked with the Scottish Government to assist the safe passage and settlement of Ukrainians fleeing the conflict.
More than 21,400 displaced Ukrainians have arrived in the country under the Scottish Government’s sponsorship scheme.
Mr Kuslii said: “I had the privilege to serve the people of Ukraine in the darkest time in the modern history of our country.
“My commitment always was just to support vulnerable people, to provide them with necessary levels to get by.
“When I look back, my main achievement has never been positions or protocol – it has always been people.”
Olha added: “It is a huge honour to be graduating with Andrii.
“I know he has been doing a lot for Ukrainian people here and we are very thankful for that.”
The summer graduations for Edinburgh Napier University’s Business School took place on Thursday, 9 July 2026.
