Rector of Pomeranian University visited KSU: a memorandum on expanding cooperation has been signed
On June 10, the Rector of Pomeranian University (Słupsk, Republic of Poland), Zbigniew Osadowski, visited the Ivano-Frankivsk office of Kherson State University. As part of the visit, a meeting was held with the university's academic staff and students, and a memorandum to strengthen cooperation between the educational institutions was signed.
The solemn opening of the event took place to the sounds of "Gaudeamus" performed by KSU alumna and teacher at Kherson Music School No. 3 Anna Manzhai. Those present also honored with a minute of silence the memory of the defenders of Ukraine and civilians who died as a result of the Russian-Ukrainian war.
The meeting was moderated by Veronika Denysenko, Vice-Rector for Social-Humanitarian and Scientific-Pedagogical Work, while translation was provided by Natalia Kuzovova, Head of the Department of History, Archaeology, and Teaching Methodology.
One of the main goals of the event was to discuss the further development of international academic cooperation, strengthening partnership relations between Kherson State University and Pomeranian University, as well as the implementation of joint educational, scientific, and cultural projects.
KSU First Vice-Rector Serhii Omelchuk addressed the participants, conveying greetings from the university rector Oleksandr Spivakovskyi and emphasizing that the partnership between Kherson State University and Pomeranian University has long gone beyond formal agreements.
He emphasized that the cooperation between the universities has been ongoing for over two decades and covers academic mobility of students, faculty, and administrative staff, double degree programs, scientific cooperation, and the implementation of international projects.
According to Serhii Omelchuk, the war only highlighted the authenticity of the international partnership, as interaction between educational institutions did not cease even during the most difficult period. He also noted that the current visit of the Rector of Pomeranian University to KSU, which operates as a displaced institution of higher education, is historic.
Separately, the First Vice-Rector reminded that it was precisely the double degree project with Pomeranian University that became one of KSU's most successful international projects. It was launched in 2014 at the Faculty of Pedagogy and continues to operate today. Furthermore, in 2017, the KSU Academic Council awarded Zbigniew Osadowski the title of "Honorary Professor of Kherson State University".
Speaking about the history of the partnership, Serhii Omelchuk noted that in 2012, cooperation was actively developing within the framework of the activities of the International Relations Department and the EU-Ukraine Coordination Center, the development of which was overseen by Yevheniia Spivakovska. It was thanks to her persistent work that a strong foundation was laid for the development of this area of international interaction.
Serhii Omelchuk also noted that in 2026, the universities jointly won a project dedicated to youth exchanges and youth policy, which served as further confirmation of the effectiveness of the long-term partnership.
The First Vice-Rector emphasized that the long-term partnership between Kherson State University and Pomeranian University is an example of true international interaction that has withstood the tests of time and war. It is such connections that open new opportunities for students and teachers, promote the development of academic mobility, joint scientific research, and international projects, as well as strengthen the integration of Ukrainian education into the European educational space.
In his turn, the Rector of Pomeranian University Zbigniew Osadowski thanked for the warm welcome and emphasized that he was happy to see the university community regardless of whether the meeting takes place in Kherson or Ivano-Frankivsk. He expressed gratitude for over twenty years of cooperation, the development of academic mobility, and international projects, emphasizing that Kherson State University and Pomeranian University remain together despite all the challenges of war and modernity.
During the meeting, participants also discussed new opportunities for developing cooperation between the universities and opening new directions of interaction.
The final chord of the meeting was the signing of a memorandum to strengthen cooperation between Kherson State University and Pomeranian University in the field of language training for students and the development of academic mobility. This involves the implementation of 9-month Polish language courses to obtain a B2 certificate, which opens a window of opportunities for the academic mobility of our students.
Zbigniew Osadowski also left a sincere review in the KSU Book of Honorary Guests.