Viktoriia Hromova

Where were you born?

Kyiv region.

What school did you graduate from?

I graduated from the school in Kovel, Volyn region (with honors). However, I do not feel specifically attached to any school, because my father was a military man, and our family traveled around a lot with him.

What university did you graduate from? What major was it?

I started at the Lviv Polytechnic Institute (majoring in mathematical counting and solving devices). But I got married, my husband graduated from the same faculty, and was assigned to work in Kyiv at Elektronmash plant. Thus, I continued my studies at the Faculty of Computer Science at the KPI.

Why did you decide to become a university professor?

All my life after graduation, I have been working in one team, which eventually transformed from one unit to another. So, I’ve been working at the Faculty of Applied Mathematics since its foundation. I worked in the research sector of the Applied Mathematics Department as an engineer, researcher. The head of the department offered me to start teaching, but refused the offer. I thought that it would be very boring and monotonous. But over time, circumstances changed, and I returned to this offer. And how surprised was I when I started working as a teacher. I did not take into account that our major, related to IT, is so “restless.” It does not stand still, is very dynamic, very mobile, and even slightly capricious. I like it. I've been working as a teacher for more than 20 years now.

What do you do in your free time, do you have a hobby?

I’m interested in painting. I like sewing very much, and I also like to do interior design.

If all books disappeared in the world, and there was an opportunity to save only one copy, what would you choose?

John Galsworthy, The Forsyte Saga.

What three books would you recommend reading?

It is difficult to make recommendations. Everyone has her own preferences and tastes. As I now realize, I find the Anglo-Saxon classics the closest in spirit, e.g. William Thackeray, Vanity Fair, Scott Fitzgerald, Tender is the Night, Theodore Dreiser (all the novels).

What three movies would you recommend watching?

Quietly Flows the Don (only Herasimov’s version), They Fought for Motherland by Sergei Bondarchuk, Nine Days in One Year by Mikhail Romm.

Do you believe in god?

It is difficult to answer. But I never forget the 10 commandments.

Do you love traveling?

No. I like to feel confident and clear minded.

If you caught a golden fish, what would you like to wish?

I got used to rely only on myself (so my mother taught me), and I do not need anything extra.

Do you have a rule or principle that you adhere to in your life?

“Do what must be done, and so be it.” This expression is attributed to the Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius, although the expression has been slightly transformed. And one more statement: “Freedom is the conscious fulfillment of one’s duty.” In my opinion, this is closely related to understanding your rights and responsibilities. I am guided by this in my life.

Were there any cases in your life that radically changed you as a person?

There were such cases, but they did not change me. Despite my fervently friendly family, as it turned out, I male tough and radical decisions by myself.

What did you want to become as a child?

You will be very surprised, but I wanted to be a pilot. I even wrote a poem about this.

How do you relax from students?

I do not get tired, in spite of the fact that in addition I am deputy Dean for social work, i.e. for dormitory. I am the kind of a happy person who happily goes to work and happily returns home.

What do the students lack?

In my opinion, understanding their goal, what is often called motivation.

Some people believe that previous students were better than the current ones. What do you think about this opinion?

There were such times, yes, but the current freshmen are very different in their responsibility and interest they exhibit. It makes me very happy.

Do you think that teaching methods become obsolete with time?

I believe that there should be a reasonable balance. I work mainly with freshmen and sophomores. And in my experience, I know that no on-line methods will replace face to face communication with the student. For more “adult” students, such technology is suitable.