On March 25, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Belgium to Ukraine Luc Jacobs visited Drohobych Ivan Franko State Pedagogical University.
At a meeting with the students and the faculty, Rector Valentyna Bodak addressed the honored guest and the University community with a welcoming speech, focusing on the university’s achievements emphasizing its high position in all-Ukrainian and international rankings.
The Rector also praised the fruitful cooperation of Drohobych University with Belgian institutions and organizations, which has been going on for over 10 years. Among the university’s partners are: Non-Profit Organization Oradea, VIVES University of Applied Sciences, Zevenbergen Social Centre and organization DISOP.
“Since 2013, a number of joint social, cultural and educational projects have been implemented in cooperation with these organizations, more than a hundred teachers and students have participated in academic exchange programs, dozens of training and workshops for our students were conducted by Belgian practitioners. Belgian students underwent internships and participated in joint exercises in Drohobych,” noted Valentyna Bodak. “We felt particular support from our Belgian partners at the onset of the full-scale russian invasion. The Oradea non-profit organization and the VIVES University of Applied Sciences were among the first to send humanitarian and financial aid to internally displaced persons from eastern and southern Ukraine, whom the university accepted into its dormitories.”
According to the Rector, the university is currently implementing 87 agreements with universities and organizations from more than fifteen countries worldwide. Of particular importance is our cooperation with our Belgian partners – one of the most fruitful and effective, largely thanks to the support of the Belgian Embassy in Ukraine and personal support from Mr. Ambassador.
The students of Drohobych University, who have recently returned from the Belgian city of Kortrijk, shared their experience of participating in the program within the framework of the international Erasmus+ project “Blended Intensive Program “Trauma-Sensitive Counseling”.
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Belgium to Ukraine Luc Jacobs greeted those present in Ukrainian, noting that he was very happy to be at Drohobych University again. The Ambassador expressed gratitude to the university community for their contribution to Ukraine’s development and the implementation of volunteer initiatives. He assured that he is optimistic about the future, as Ukraine’s cooperation with European countries is becoming increasingly close.
In his speech, Luc Jacobs drew historical parallels between Belgium and Drohobych, noting that there were times when they were together in one state –the Austro-Hungarian Empire. He also shared his impressions of his first period as ambassador to Ukraine, when he still knew little about us, but was impressed by the determination of Ukrainians, their desire to build an independent state. That is why he decided, if he had the opportunity, to return here again.
After the Ambassador’s speech, students and teachers of the university had the opportunity to talk to Luc Jacobs and ask questions.
The meeting was also attended by the head of the Drohobych district military administration, Stepan Kulinyak, who expressed gratitude to the people of Belgium in the person of the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary for the support that Belgium has provided to Ukraine since the beginning of the full-scale war.
The meeting concluded with an exchange of gifts: Luc Jacobs donated two books of Belgian comics translated into Ukrainian to the university library. He noted that comics are an important part of Belgian culture, loved by children and adults alike.
In return, Rector Valentyna Bodak presented the Ambassador with an icon by the renowned local artist Lev Mykytych and a souvenir set from Drohobych, a city long known as the City of Salt.
