The Polish-Ukrainian Psychological and Medical Center named after Witelon and Ivan Franko will operate in the dormitories of Drohobych State Pedagogical University. The project was implemented jointly by Drohobych University and the “Academic Community” Association (Legnica, Poland) – our long-standing partner with more than twenty years’ cooperation. The project is financed from the state budget of the Republic of Poland with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland and the “Polish Aid-2024” program www.gov.pl/polishaid. The project financing amounts to PLN 600,000.00. The project’s main goal is to improve the efficiency, quality and access to psychological support and medical care for students and internally displaced persons, as well as the Drohobych community.
The official opening of the Center was attended by representatives of the university, the university chaplain, Father Oleh Kekosh, and honored guests – Jerzy Stefaniak, head of the “Academic Community” Association and Dr. Beata Skwarek.
-Today is a symbolic step into the future, a moment that confirms that our long-standing cooperation has borne fruit. At the same time, it is the result of previous efforts and evidence that we can create new initiatives. This project is connected with the prospect of development, with improving the quality of what we create. And here in Ukraine, despite difficult times, with joint efforts we can open new horizons! And together we continue to create our future. Thank you very much, – Jerzy Stefaniak noted in his speech.
-I am happy that we were able to come here, and that your hard work related to the repair and renovation of these premises has finally been completed. I also want to emphasize that the project we worked on together would not have been possible without the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which finances it within the framework of the “Polish Aid-2024” program. We are grateful to the ministry for these funds, thanks to which we were able to create wonderful premises with high-quality equipment. I think that it will be really comfortable to work here, and this place will allow us to help many people, – emphasized Beata Skwarek.
The rector of the Drohobych Pedagogical University, Professor Valentyna Bodak, in turn, expressed her gratitude to the Polish people for their support and recalled that from the first days of the war the “Witelon Collegium” provided aid every month to meet the needs of internally displaced persons who had found shelter in the university dormitories. Other foreign partners also helped. But the “Witelon Collegium” is the University’s closest friend and partner.
– The creation of a medical and psychological center will make it possible to provide assistance to those people who need psychological, rehabilitation, and home medical support. Because of the war, we have a large number of people with injuries who need such assistance. Thank you and we look forward to new joint projects, – noted the rector.
The rector also thanked the university team that worked on the implementation of this project: Vice-Rector for International Relations and Information Activities Ihor Hrynyk, Head of the International Department Khrystyna Voytovych, Methodist at the International Relations Department Natalia Hoyvanovych, Associate Professor Andriy Zymyanskyi, Head of the Department of Medical and Biological Disciplines, Geography and Ecology Associate Professor Vitaliy Fil.
It should be noted that the implementation of the project to create the Polish-Ukrainian Psychological and Medical Center named after Witelon and Ivan Franko took place in two stages: the first – organization and renovation of premises in the dormitories where the center is located. The second – equipping the premises with modern equipment for providing psychological, medical and rehabilitation assistance. This will allow psychologists, therapists and other specialists to conduct classes, provide support and rehabilitation for internally displaced persons and vulnerable groups of the population. In addition to equipping the center, a series of training courses will be developed within the framework of the second stage, as well as training on essential skills for students, adults and internally displaced persons.
The publication expresses exclusively the views of the author and cannot be identified with the official stance of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland
