On March 20, a meeting of student fellows of the Institute of Oriental Studies Foundation with the Chairman of the Program Council of the Economic Forum, founder of the Institute of Oriental Studies Foundation Zygmunt Berdychowski, former Minister of Infrastructure of the Republic of Poland Cezary Grabarczyk, editor of the quarterly publication “Więź” Bohumila Berdychowski, as well as Ambassador Jacek Klyuchkowski – a member of the Program Council of the Economic Forum took place at the Vasyl Stefanyk Carpathian National University. The event was attended by the Chairman of the Academic Council of the KNUVS, Ihor Tsependa; Vice-Rector for Scientific and Pedagogical Work, Vitaliy Shkromyda; member of the University Supervisory Board, Jana Stadilna; and translator and head of the Department of Slavic Languages, Natalia Shcherbiy.
In their welcoming remarks, the students were greeted by the Vice-Rector for Scientific and Pedagogical Work, Vitaliy Shkromyda, and a member of the University’s Supervisory Board, Yana Stadilna, who emphasized the importance of such meetings for student youth, as they create a space for lively dialogue, exchange of experiences, and the formation of a new vision of their own professional and civic development.
The Chairman of the Academic Council of the University, Ihor Tsependa, emphasised in his speech that the university has a unique scholarship fund that opens opportunities for students to develop and also fosters an environment in which individuals work to strengthen Ukrainian-Polish relations. According to him, today it is important to talk not only about a strategic partnership between Ukraine and Poland, but also about the formation of a full-fledged strategic alliance. In this context, a special role is played by the programs of the Foundation for Eastern Studies, which have already launched several important initiatives, in particular for student youth.
During the meeting, the founder of the Institute of Oriental Studies Foundation, Chairman of the Program Council of the Economic Forum, Zygmunt Berdychowski, presented an important initiative to support student scholars: funds are provided for taking Polish and English language courses. This opportunity will improve students’ language training and expand their academic and professional prospects.
Igor Tsependa emphasised that each of the scholarship holders has already proven their high level, both in studies and in social activities, and that the university and the region have benefited from this work. He expressed his belief that the scholarship is an important step towards the professional growth of young people, the formation of responsible citizens who strive to work for Ukraine’s benefit, and the strengthening of Ukrainian-Polish relations. He also emphasised the importance of combining long-term strategic projects, whose results are not always immediate, with short-term initiatives that deliver tangible results today.
This was followed by a meaningful conversation involving representatives of the delegation, which combined diverse experiences and visions. In particular, the former Minister of Infrastructure of the Republic of Poland, Cezary Grabarczyk, focused on the implementation of large-scale infrastructure projects and their significance for the country’s development. At the same time, the editor of the quarterly publication “Więź”, Bohumila Berdychowska, highlighted cultural and artistic initiatives as an important component of social transformations and interstate dialogue.
A separate part of the meeting was a discussion with the participation of Ambassador Jacek Kluczkowski, a member of the Program Council of the Economic Forum, and Bohumila Berdychovska, during which the war in Ukraine, the economy, resilience and resistance of the Ukrainian people were discussed. The participants also touched on global security, the threats of international terrorism, the prospects for ending the war, and the influence of world politics on these processes.
At the end of the meeting, on behalf of the Oriental Studies Foundation, Zygmunt Berdychovsky presented the students with valuable gifts.
The university community sincerely thanks the Foundation for supporting youth, developing educational opportunities, and strengthening the Ukrainian-Polish partnership.
