On October 24 an official opening of Mariupol information and resource center “Window to America” held at Mariupol State University.

The center works on a base of research library of MSU. It was created with the purpose to promote mutual understanding between USA and Ukraine, providing with the information about the history, government, society and values of the United States, American Support and Exchange programs, and also providing the library funds with English-language literature and assist in learning English.

Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador from the United States to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch. The Chief of the Main Directorate of the National Police in Donetsk region, General of Police of the third rank Mykola Semenyshyn, Rector of Mariupol State University, Professor Kostyantyn Balabanov and the Deputy Mayor of Mariupol Oleksandr Kochurin took part at the Center official opening ceremony. Also the participants of international programs, which American government finances, namely professors, students, teachers and pupils of schools in Mariupol also were invited.

While welcoming the audience, Kostyantyn Balabanov thanked American government and the Embassy of the United States of America for the support in creating on the base of modern information and resource center, which will be the center of American culture in Mariupol.

The Ambassador of the USA noticed, that the program “Window to America” has benn working for 16 years.

“This center will be opened and available for those and who want to get more information about United States, for those who need resources for education. It is a very good symbol of our partnership with Mariupol, Mariupol State University and Ukraine”,

– Marie Yovanovitch.

The Centers “Window to America” are created within the frameworks of partnership between American government and Ukrainian libraries. Nowadays, 29 centers “Window to America” work in different Ukrainian regions. Usually, they work in public libraries and only 4 centers were created on the base of libraries at the universities, such as Mariupol State University, V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University, Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, Luhansk Taras Shevshenko National University (Starobilsk city).

Marie Yovanovitch said, that seminars, photography exhibitions, lectures, American movies watching and other events, which can help Ukrainians to know more about the United States of America and to improve knowledge of English will held at Mariupol Center “Window to America”.

“Window” also will not forget about teachers’ needs. Teaching aids will be given for helping teachers to give English lessons at the high level and develop the pupils’ skills of critical thinking. Local business, due to this center, will have a chance to know about the possibility of finding partners in America”,

– Marie Yovanovitch.

Due to the financial aid of the USA government, rooms in the Center were equipped with corresponding appliances, such as: computer and organizational equipment, iPad-s and e-books, TV, DVD player. Also comfortable furniture, webinars of documentary and classic American movies were bought. By the way, The US government provided the Center with literature and gave an access to data base eLibraryUSA (virtual library with online access to the millions publications, new journals, e-books, audio, video and other multi-media materials).

Mariupol information and resource center “Window to America” located at the address Budivelnykiv Avenue, 129, 1st floor, MSU science library.

Сontact telephone number of the Center: (0629) 58-74-07 (Olena Okhrimenko is the coordinator).