RMIT launches new Ukrainian language offering with public lecture by Ukrainian Ambassador

RMIT launches new Ukrainian language offering with public lecture by Ukrainian Ambassador

RMIT has officially launched a Ukrainian language stream within the University’s Translating and Interpreting program (Higher Education).

To mark the occasion, his Excellency Vasyl Myroshnychenko, Ambassador of Ukraine to Australia and New Zealand, delivered a public lecture at RMIT’s City Campus emphasising the importance of strengthened international partnerships and allied support. 

RMIT runs Australia’s longest-running translating and interpreting program, established more than 50 years ago, which offers vocational and postgraduate pathways endorsed by Australia’s National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI). 

This is the first time a Ukrainian language stream is being offered within a Higher Education Australian university translating and interpreting program that provides a pathway to NAATI certification, preparing students to work professionally in service of both Australian and Ukrainian communities. Small-scale migration to Australia has been recorded since the 1860’s and ANZACs from Ukraine served in the First World War. Larger waves of migration occurred after the Second World War in the 1960’s, post Ukrainian independence of 1991 and recently following the Russian conflict. 

Dean of GUSS, Katherine Johnson and his Excellency Vasyl Myroshnychenko, Ambassador of Ukraine to Australia and New Zealand. Dean of School of Global, Urban and Social Studies, Katherine Johnson and his Excellency Vasyl Myroshnychenko, Ambassador of Ukraine to Australia and New Zealand.

In Australia, interpreter and translator education has traditionally centred on justice, health and community settings. Internationally, and in Ukraine in particular, interpreting extends to diplomacy, defence and security and crisis communication. 

His Excellency Ambassador Vasyl Myroshnychenko is leader in public diplomacy and strategic communications, an advisor to Ukraine’s Minister of Defence and co-founder of the Ukraine Crisis Media Center. 

His Excellency Vasyl Myroshnychenko, Ambassador of Ukraine to Australia and New Zealand, delivered a public lecture at RMIT emphasising the importance of strengthened international partnerships and allied support. His Excellency Vasyl Myroshnychenko, Ambassador of Ukraine to Australia and New Zealand, delivered a public lecture at RMIT.

In the public lecture, Myroshnychenko emphasised the significance of professional interpreters in geopolitical discourse, saying “the role interpreters play in delivering messages is more important than people realise. In diplomatic relations amongst global leaders, the potential for misinterpretation to cause scandal and controversy is high.”

He also discussed the significance of language revival, and translation, for Ukraine's cultural identity in the face of imperialism. 

Dr Erika Gonzalez, Associate Professor in Translating and Interpreting at RMIT and Senior Fellow at Advance HE (SFHEA), said: “At present in Australia, there are only 31 credentialed Ukrainian interpreters nationally. RMIT’s effort in training Ukrainian interpreters will contribute to strengthening the workforce and supporting Ukrainian refugees in Australia.”

RMIT’s Translating & Interpreting Postgraduate program is also establishing remote joint practice activities with interpreting students at the Hryhoriy Kochur Department of Translation and Interpreting Studies and Contrastive Linguistics at Ivan Franko National University of Lviv, building peer learning, professional networks and real-world practice across the two institutions and two continents. 

Learn more about languages, translating and interpreting at RMIT here: Languages, Translating & Interpreting Courses | RMIT Australia

23 September 2025

Share

Return to RMIT News
23 September 2025

Share

  • Announcements
  • Arts and culture
  • Government & Politics
  • Society
  • DSC
Engage

Related News

mccraith-house-wrap-gelthumbnail-1220x723px.jpg

McCraith House Creative Residency Program wraps up a vibrant year of artistic experimentation and collaboration

RMIT’s College of Design and Social Context celebrates a year of creative residencies across literature, design, music, and performance.

Researchers Lyndon Ormond-Parker, Audrey Shadforth and Daniel Featherstone in Djarindjin community.

First Nations Australians twice as likely to be digitally excluded

First Nations Australians are twice as likely as other Australians to be digitally excluded and face barriers to accessing, affording and using the internet. For those living in remote Australia, the barriers are much greater.

ttlgsTEAMphotoFINALeditweb.jpg

Cairns Airport mangrove study sets new standard for Indigenous-led research on country

A new study highlights how Indigenous leadership, science and business can unite to protect coastal ecosystems while building long-term environmental and cultural knowledge.

RMIT's inaugural Ready for What’s Next Alumni Breakfast held in the Green Brain

RMIT Alumni Breakfast Series launches with focus on Regenerative Futures

Last week, RMIT held its inaugural Ready for What’s Next Alumni Breakfast Series welcoming Melbourne-based alumni for a morning of thought leadership, knowledge sharing and networking.

Show more
aboriginal flag float-start torres strait flag float-start

Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.

More information