Opening of the Exhibition "Unissued Diplomas Never Graduated, Eternally Honoured"

The Gender Equality Studies and Training Programme (GRÓ GEST), in collaboration with the University of Iceland Ukraine Project, is hosting the exhibition “Unissued Diplomas” at the University Centre (first floor) from 23–26 February 2026.

Unissued Diplomas is a global exhibition honouring the memory of 40 Ukrainian students who will never graduate, as their lives were taken following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022.

Launched in 2023, the exhibition shares the stories of young lives cut short — transforming symbols of education into powerful memorials. Organized by Ukrainian students and volunteers, the initiative presents symbolic, unfinished diplomas to honour lost potential, highlight the human cost of war, and remind the world that the conflict continues — and that Ukrainians pay its price every day in their struggle for freedom.

Daryna Zavhorodnia, currently a student at GRÓ GEST, is one of the initiators and organizers of the global exhibition, which has been presented at universities and museums in more than forty countries.

The 40 diplomas, originally in Ukrainian, are presented in both Icelandic and English translations at the exhibition.

Opening event: February 24, 2026 3:00 PM Room 101, University Centre

All are welcome to attend and to stand in remembrance and solidarity.

                                                                                GRÓ GEST Cohort of 2026