On  April 20, 2026, Valeriy Budak— a scientist, a citizen, and a sincere and wise man—passed away.

Valeriy Budak – Full Member (Academician) of the National Academy of Educational Sciences of Ukraine (elected on  October 20, 2016), Doctor of Sciences in Engineering, Professor, Honoured Worker of Science and Technology of Ukraine. Rector of the V.O. Sukhomlynskyi Mykolaiv National University (1996–2024); since 2024, advisor to the rector of the Admiral Makarov National University of Shipbuilding. Member of the National Committee of Ukraine on Theoretical and Applied Mechanics.

Honorary Citizen of Mykolaiv.

Born on September 14, 1947 in Korsun-Shevchenkivskyi, Cherkasy Region.

Graduated from the Faculty of Physics and Mathematics of the Mykolaiv State Pedagogical Institute (1968) and completed postgraduate studies at the Mykolaiv Shipbuilding Institute (1972).

Specialist in the field of pedagogical education and the mechanics of deformable solids. He researched the history of pedagogy, teacher training, education management, and the resonant modes and frequencies of structural elements using numerical-analytical and holographic methods. He paid particular attention to the development of professionally successful individuals within the University Educational and Training Environment.

Author and co-author of over 390 academic works, including 11 monographs, 28 textbooks and teaching guides, notably the monographs “Higher Pedagogical Education and Science in Ukraine: History, Present and Prospects for Development Mykolaiv Region”, “Training Future Preschool Teachers in Patriotic Education for Older Preschool Children”, “Geometric Nonlinear Thermo-Magnetostriction of Flexible Orthotropic Rotational Shells”; textbooks, teaching and methodological guides: “Solving Shell Theory Problems Using Discrete-Continuous Methods”, “Numerical and Analytical Solution of Boundary Value Problems in the Magnetostriction of Flexible Shells”, “Continuity, Succession and Prospects in the System of Lifelong Learning”.

Four PhD theses have been defended under his academic supervision.

Chair of the Editorial Board of the “Scientific Bulletin of V.O. Sukhomlynskyi Mykolaiv National University”. Organiser of international and all-Ukrainian scientific and scientific-practical conferences on issues of pedagogical education and the mechanics of deformable solids.

He has been awarded the Orders of Merit 3rd and 2nd classes, the Certificate of Honour of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, the Certificate of Honour of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, and the “Petro Mohyla”, “Vasyl Sukhomlynskyi”, and “For Scientific Achievements”, as well as the medals of the National Academy of Educational Sciences of Ukraine “Hryhorii Skovoroda” and “K.D. Ushynsky”.

Laureate of the State Prize of Ukraine in the field of education.

The scientists of the National Academy of Educational Sciences of Ukraine extend their sincere and deepest condolences to Valeriy Budak’s family and loved ones. He will be fondly remembered by his colleagues and like-minded peers, and his academic achievements will continue to contribute to the development of Ukraine. 

From the Presidium of the National Academy of Educational Sciences of Ukraine.