Izmail State University for the Humanities hosted a round table «New Vectors of Cooperation between Universities in Ukraine and Slovenia». The event was opened by the rector of the University, professor Yaroslav Kichuk, who noted the urgent role of Slovenia in strengthening the statehood of Ukraine and humanitarian support for the Ukrainian people.
In the course of the dialogue at this event, initiatives were approved that will contribute to strengthening partnership with public and governmental organizations of the Republic of Slovenia – a country that contributes in real deeds to the approach of our victorious peace.
Professor Nadezhda Kichuk, the dean of the Pedagogical Faculty, presented the existing experience and prospects for cooperation between the Izmail university community and Slovenian universities. She informed about the results of the implementation of the International Project «Mental health and psychosocial assistance to children and their families» (together with the public organization «Zhiva-Ya», the partner organization «Slovenian Philanthropy», the Humanitarian Organization for Strengthening Human Security «ITF», the Ministry of Foreign and European affairs of the Republic of Slovenia).
At the round table meeting, the trajectory of our further partnership was outlined, where the Izmail university community keeps the locations of all activities on international projects.
Director of the Center for Regional Development, Associate Professor of the Department of Business and Tourism Management Vyacheslav Todorov outlined the general socio-geographical characteristics of the Republic of Slovenia in comparison with the potential of the Odessa region. Taking into account the comparable characteristics of the two territorial entities, Slovenia has unique results in the systematic implementation of progressive reforms and European democratic values in various spheres of public life. In particular, the whole world is adopting best practices in the effective management of Water Resources in Slovenia. This experience is very relevant not only for the regions of Ukraine that were directly affected by the consequences of the Russian-Ukrainian war, but also for the south-western part of the Odessa region. The Danube River Basin unites Slovenia with the south-western part of the Odessa region. 4 of the 5 largest freshwater lakes in Ukraine are located here, but this region is poorly provided with high-quality drinking water.
Associate Professor Vyacheslav Todorov also substantiated promising projects that experts of Izmail State University for the Humanities proposed for joint implementation on the basis of progressive experience of Slovenia, in particular, such initiatives: «Euro-Atlantic integration of Ukraine: formation of new competencies of local population leaders for Sustainable Community Development»; «Ukrainian-Slovenian educational and scientific cluster»; «Development of innovative veteran space for the preservation of social harmony in the north-western Black Sea region»; «Creation of the South Ukrainian Rehabilitation Center for veterans and victims of the consequences of the Russian-Ukrainian war»; «Improvement of the system of psychosocial assistance to children and their families».
Associate professor of the Department of Law and Social work of Izmail State University for the Humanities Olga Zamashkina presented a unique experience of introducing new educational programs in the specialty «231 Social work»: physical culture and sports rehabilitation and occupational therapy, speech therapy and rehabilitation support for people with special educational needs, socio-psychological rehabilitation, clinical and military psychology, social and legal protection of military personnel, coordination of regional veterans’ policy, management of social projects and volunteering. Olga Zamashkina informed potential participants and participants of future projects about the public and educational visit to Ljubljana (Slovenia) from 01 to 06 October 2024. All expenses of Ukrainian participants and participants are compensated at the expense of this international project. Within the framework of this visit, it is planned to discuss the concepts of further joint projects between Izmail State University for the Humanities (together with the public organization «Zhiva-Ya») and the University of Ljubljani (Univerza v Ljubljani), public and government organizations of the Republic of Slovenia.
At the end of the round table, it was noted that it is thanks to systematic partnership innovation activities that progressive prospects for the implementation of Ukrainian-Slovenian social and educational initiatives for the effective restoration of Ukraine, post-war sustainable development of Southern Europe are seen.
Olga Zamashkina
Associate professor of the Department of Law and Social work
