UP News - University of Potsdam

Photo : Kevin Ryl

Delegationen der tschechischen Masaryk University (MU) sowie der Vasyl Stefanyk Precarpathian National University (PNU) aus dem ukrainischen Ivano Frankivsk bei ihrem Besuch an der Universität Potsdam mit dem Präsidenten der UP, Prof. Oliver Günther, Ph.D. (5.v.r.), und dem Vizepräsidenten für Internationales und Fundraising Beauftragter für die EDUC, Prof. Dr. Florian J. Schweigert (l.).

Representatives of the Czech Masaryk University (MU) and the Vasyl Stefanyk Precarpathian National University (PNU) from the Ukrainian Ivano Frankivsk – which has recently become a partner city of Potsdam - visited the University of Potsdam on June 1-2, 2023. Both universities are partners in the European Digital UniverCity consortium, EDUC for short, led by the University of Potsdam. The focus of the visit was an exchange on issues of higher education development such as digitization, the internationalization of degree programs and research funding, as well as closer cooperation in EDUC.

While the University of Potsdam and Masaryk University are among the founding members of the EDUC network, PNU was accepted as an associated partner at the end of 2022. This integration is now to be intensified through specific joint projects. PNU students are already involved in the University of Potsdam's think tank, "Translating EVROPA," which is dedicated to Slavic regions of Eastern and Central Europe. And PNU representatives were also invited to a start-up workshop in early June. In addition to its involvement in EDUC, the University of Potsdam is planning a university partnership with PNU and is already funding individual research and teaching projects.

“We are excited to continue learning from our partners at PNU, especially in the areas of digitization, where Germany has some catching up to do, but also the vibrant spin-off and literary scene in Ivano Frankivsk," said Vice President for International Affairs and Fundraising, and the President's Representative for the European Digital UniverCity - EDUC, Prof. Dr. Florian J. Schweigert. "On the other hand, we want to support PNU in finding its way into the European education space.”

“We also exchanged views on how universities understand sustainability,” says University of Potsdam President Prof. Oliver Günther, Ph.D. “Masaryk University does not see this as a minor topic; they view it as a principle that affects the entire university. We are also currently moving in this direction and value the exchange with our partners on this issue.”

There has already been an intensive student exchange with the MU for several years and close cooperation in the EDUC consortium. Under the leadership of the MU, a joint application was submitted to the European Excellence Initiative, which is intended to promote even closer integration in the area of research and innovation within EDUC. The focus is on open science, the opening of research infrastructures to partner institutions, and the multifaceted promotion of careers within science as well as for and with society. The two universities also want to work even more closely together in the future on the topic of "micro credentials and intensive programs," an area in which the University of Potsdam has a growing interest.

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