On May 28, 2021, a delegation from Kazakhstan headed by L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University’s Rector Yerlan Sydykov and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Kazakhstan to Ukraine Darkhan Kaletayev visited Ivan Franko National University of Lviv. The program of the visit included negotiations between the heads of Higher Education Institutions and the diplomatic mission of Kazakhstan, signing ceremony on Memorandum of Cooperation, a photo exhibition opening and the presentation of the book “Shakarim” by Yerlan Sydykov.
During the meeting of the Ivan Franko National University of Lviv and Eurasian University leaders, as well as the representatives of the Embassy and Consulate of Kazakhstan the issues of strategic cooperation between the universities and also intercommunion aimed at developing collaborative cultural, educational and scientific initiatives of Ukraine and Kazakhstan were discussed.
The Rector of Lviv University, Corresponding Member of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Professor Volodymyr Melnyk was convinced that networking between our countries in different spheres is a dynamic and extremely necessary process as the common history of Ukrainian and Kazakh peoples contributes to it.
“Our countries have grown on the basis of the struggle for national identity. Thank you for deeply respecting our history, in particular, paying tribute to the Ukrainian spiritual leaders. Therefore, we are interested in building our relations on the basis of respect and tolerance,”Volodymyr Petrovych said.
Among the main areas of cooperation, Volodymyr Melnyk singled out not only scientific and educational cooperation, but also the process of mutual cultural and information exchange. According to the Rector, establishing cooperation with representatives of Kazakhstan allows the scientific and student community of Lviv University to expand the incidence of accurate and truthful information about modern Ukraine, about our struggle against the Russian aggressor and about urgent challenges and threats.
“We are not trying to impose our point of view on anyone, but as scientists, intellectuals, we have a mission – to tell the truth about the real situation in Ukraine and in the world and together with our colleagues, including from abroad, we try to work in order to counter threats and build relations between states on the principles of humanism and rationalism, “Volodymyr Melnyk said.
In the scope of new cooperation aspects emergence, the Rector also assured: “Today we are opening a new page in the history of our University outlining the interaction with the respected, interesting and dynamic in development L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University. The structure of our universities and desire for innovation and discovery today is the beginning of a long, fruitful and mutually beneficial cooperation. “
Rector of the L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University Yerlan Sydykov noted the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Kazakhstan to Ukraine Darkhan Kaletayev and the Honorary Consul of Kazakhstan Halyna Maslyuk’s active work, aimed at developing interuniversity cooperation and expressed sincere joy over the beginning of academic cooperation with Ivan Franko Lviv National University.
Yerlan Battashevych also poined out that Lviv is the “basis of Ukrainian heritage”, citing that it is “the heart of the Ukrainian language, traditions and spirituality.” “The cooperation between Ivan Franko National University of Lviv and L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University will have a symbolic meaning for us at the national level. Communication between scientists, students exchange, study of languages, deepening of research work, etc. – all these are our areas of common interest for cooperation, “said Yerlan Sydykov.
The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Kazakhstan to Ukraine Darkhan Kaletayev stressed that initiation of friendly ties in education, especially between the universities of two countries is extremely important. “”Establishing cooperation in this direction is more important than trade between countries or financial transactions. Spirituality is above all the commercial and material world processes. I am convinced that this meeting is the beginning of a great cooperation between our universities and our countries. “
The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary also expressed confidence that “Lviv University is a” quality label” not only in the higher education system of Ukraine, but also of the educational and scientific environment of the whole Europe.”
After discussing strategic issues of cooperation, Rector Volodymyr Melnyk and Rector Yerlan Sydykov signed a Memorandum of Cooperation between Ivan Franko National University of Lviv and L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University. The purpose of this document is the development of bilateral relations in the field of education, science and culture and the effectiveness of improving research.
Thus, according to the document the parties agreed to cooperate in the area of academic exchanges between graduates of Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD, doctoral programs, teachers and researchers for training, short-term and long-term internships, professional practices and more.
Besides, Ukrainian and Kazakh universities will establish cooperation in the training of highly qualified academic staff and specialists of mutual interest, will together prepare academic programs for joint degrees as well as cooperate preparing PhD programs.
According to the agreement, the parties will invite each other’s representatives for lectureship and sharing experiences, as well as co-host conferences, seminars, symposia, panel discussions and other events, aimed at developing the educational and scientific environment of both countries.
A separate paragraph is dedicated to carrying out common scholarly, scientific and technical research with the assistance of the professors as well as scientific advice in writing Master’s and Doctorate Thesis. The parties agreed to publish the results of collaborative studies as a separate writings, as well as academic papers in publications that are included in the world’s leading databases of scientific citations.
We would also like to add that after the signing of the memorandum, a solemn opening of a photo exhibition dedicated to the 25th anniversary of the L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University and the presentation of the book “Shakarim” took place.
Later, the guests visited the Museum of History of Lviv University where they had a look at the display and found out interesting facts about cooperation between the Lviv University scientists and representatives of Kazakhstan.