On June 17, a ceremony was held at the Witelon Collegium State University (Legnica, Poland) to award the honorary doctorate to Professor Valentyna Bodak, Rector of Drohobych Ivan Franko State Pedagogical University.
This highest academic distinction recognizes the Rector’s long-standing scientific, educational and organizational activities, her significant contribution to the development of higher education, international cooperation and strengthening of partner relations between Ukrainian and Polish universities.
The ceremony took place during a ceremonial meeting of the Senate of the Witelon Collegium attended by the university leadership, representatives of the academic communities of Poland and Ukraine, staff, students and invited guests. The ceremony was opened by the rector of the Witelon Collegium Professor Andrzej Panasyuk, who emphasized the uniqueness of the event and the long-standing partnership linking the two universities.
Professor Dr. Jerzy Jan Pietkiewicz spoke in honor of Professor Valentyna Bodak, presenting her significant achievements in research and organizational activities, as well as her contribution to the development of higher education and international cooperation.
During the ceremony, Professor Valentyna Bodak delivered a lecture on “Trends in Ukrainian Higher Education: European Integration Dimensions and Development Strategy”, and also thanked the academic community of the Witelon Collegium for the significant support and assistance that Polish partners have been providing to her home university in recent years in organizing the support of internally displaced persons living in university dormitories.
The awarding of the title of Doctor Honoris Causa to Rector Valentyna Bodak also symbolically marked the 25-year cooperation between the Witelon Collegium State University and Drohobych Ivan Franko State Pedagogical University, which is currently extremely active and productive. The ceremony concluded with the planting of a memorial tree on the university grounds, symbolizing the longevity of relations, dialogue and boundless friendship.
