The invigoration of long-lived Ukrainian-Polish academic cooperation, joint participation in European educational projects, and the introduction of double degree programs are the issues which today are strategically important for Lviv and Wrocław Universities.
These were discussed during the meeting of Rector of Lviv University, Volodymyr Melnyk, Vice-Rector for research and pedagogical work and international cooperation, Mariya Zubrytska, and Vice-Rector for research of Wrocław University, Iwona Bartosiewicz.
In early October, Iwona Bartosiewicz launched her cadence as the vice-rector for research at the University of Wrocław and 5 October 2016 arrived in Lviv with her first official visit to discuss key issues of strengthening cooperation between universities and to participate in one of the biggest scientific events in Ukraine – the 23rd International conference of the Association of Germanic Studies in Ukraine.
On behalf of Rector of the University of Wrocław Iwona Bartosiewicz appealed to Lviv colleagues with a proposal to introduce double degree programs. Rector Volodymyr Melnyk gladly supported the initiative, discussed a number of organizational issues, the parties outlined a “roadmap” of this program.
In particular, the participants made a decision on establishing working groups to elaborate and agree curricula and consider the possibility of implementing joint certification courses. The management of both universities intends to establish a program of double diplomas originally from Germanic studies and chemistry, and later on political science, physics and other areas.
There was also discussed the need of invigoration of many years of fruitful cooperation, in particular by increasing the number of internships for teachers and doctors, intensification exchange programs, implementation of joint scientific projects of summer schools, joint publications, participation in European educational grant projects under HORIZON 2020, Erasmus +, International Visegrad Fund.
In addition, Lviv and Wrocław Universities are proud of 22-year experience in academic cooperation through which Ukrainian and Polish scientists have the opportunity to undergo training, work in archives and libraries, participate in scientific activities, and conduct joint research. In particular, there is an intense collaboration of biologists, historians, geographers, linguists, physicists, lawyers, and economists, groups of libraries, botanical gardens, archives and Education departments of both universities.