The Rector of the University of Gdańsk, prof. dr hab. Piotr Stepnowski, and the Rector of the Odessa I.I.Mechnikov National University, prof. Vyacheslav Truba signed an agreement on scientific cooperation in areas related to student education. The University of Gdańsk will also support the admission of a partner university from Ukraine to the SEA-EU alliance of coastal European universities.

The signing of the agreement took place during an online call, in the presence of the Senators of the University of Gdańsk on Thursday 28.04.2022. 

- 'We are honoured to host today the authorities of the University of Odessa at the meeting of the Senate of the University of Gdańsk. This is a historic moment in every respect,' - stressed Rector prof. Piotr Stepnowski. - 'Firstly, despite the ongoing shameful war caused by Russia's aggression against Ukraine, almost under bombardment, we are signing a new agreement on cooperation between our institutions. We make no secret of the fact that our intention is for the Odessa I.I.Mechnikov National University to join our SEA EU university partnership. Starting from our first discussions on the subject, we will urge the European Commission to reopen existing and new partnerships to allow friendly Ukrainian universities to be associated in them. As never before, this is becoming a European raison d'état.'

Both sides have declared, among other things: exchanging information and materials in fields of interest for both universities; facilitating communication, networking and arrangements by leaders of faculties, administration or student organisations; organising joint training, summer programmes, language courses, conferences and academic programmes; facilitating joint research activities and publications; and supporting each other in international promotion. 

- 'Despite Russia's aggression, we continue the work of the University, educating students with the hope that peacetime will soon return. We thank you for the help you bring to us who are in Ukraine and to refugees. We have a long history of cooperation with universities in Poland, and for many years our cities of Gdańsk and Odessa have also cooperated. We are delighted that we are now going to establish official scientific cooperation between our universities. I hope that soon there will be peace in Ukraine, Odesa, and we will be able to meet,' - said Rector prof. Vyacheslav Truba.

The Rectors signed the documents and presented them to the UG Senate.

- 'Today we want to declare that we will support your university in these activities and all others that will help you return to normal after the cessation of the war, which we hope will come as soon as possible,' - added the Rector of the University of Gdańsk.

 Odessa I.I.Mechnikov National University (Одеський національний університет імені І. І. Мечникова) was founded in 1865 by Tsar Alexander II in Odessa based on the so-called Richelieu Lyceum. In the times of Soviet Ukraine, the university was called Odesa State University named after I. Mechnikov and under this name it functions today. It has 10 faculties and 3 scientific institutes.