Dariy Antonyuk, from Ukraine is an excellent and engaging student with a passion for integrating the quantitative knowledge from the MSc program in Finance into the areas of social development. Dariy is diplomatic and insightful and has been a great ambassador for SSE and education in Sweden. His recent projects are focused on optimizing fundraising strategies and increasing the financial capacity of NGOs helping underprivileged citizens.

The aim of the Global Swede award is to recognize the students’ successes and encourage them to take part in the Global Swede network, and promote continued good relations with Sweden. The aim is also to encourage and engage the students as ambassadors for Sweden, and as a future resource for Swedish business and for the marketing of Sweden as a higher education destination.

At a ceremony at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs in Stockholm on 12 May, Minister for Enterprise and Innovation Mikael Damberg and Director General of the Swedish Institute Annika Rembe presented diplomas to the students.

The event is part of the Government’s and the Swedish Institute’s long-term efforts to build relations with international students in Sweden. The number of students studying outside their own country is increasing worldwide; in 2015 they are estimated to number 4.3 million. Recruiting some of this large group generates export revenues and helps to internationalize higher education.

The Swedish Institute and Sweden’s diplomatic missions abroad seek together to manage and follow up these relations. The Swedish Institute’s relationship-building activities help to strengthen and deepen alumni relations with Sweden; these alumni are a major asset for Swedish enterprises with international operations.

This year students from the following countries received the Global Swede award:
Canada, Mexico, Pakistan, India, Tanzania, China, Jordan, Ukraine, USA, Thailand, Belarus, Taiwan, New Zealand, Nepal, Panama, Moldova, Uganda and Russia.