On 22 August, Lviv Polytechnic National University held a meeting which became an important step towards a potential international partnership. Oleh Karyi, Vice-Rector for International Relations, and Serhii Kupchak, Head of the Department for Foreign Students, met with Almerio Lopes, representative of the humanitarian organisation SABEH from Timor-Leste, to discuss opportunities for cooperation in the field of education.
The meeting was initiated by Inna Nazarova, Acting Head of the Veteran Service Centre, and Valerii Voskoboinikov.
The main topic of the meeting was the discussion of educational programmes for students from Timor-Leste at Lviv Polytechnic. This country, which recently gained independence, is actively developing its education system and striving to integrate into the global community. Ukrainian education, in particular the experience and opportunities offered by Lviv Polytechnic, can be a valuable resource for training qualified specialists needed for the development of Timor-Leste’s economy and society. Mr. Lopes shared the experience of his country, which has gone through war and is now actively rebuilding, highlighting education as a cornerstone of the recovery process.
According to the Vice-Rector, 10 per cent of this year’s university applicants are children of Ukrainian defenders – a figure that reflects the university’s social responsibility and the state’s commitment to supporting those who protect it.
During the meeting, the parties discussed various forms of education, from full-time to distance learning, as well as funding opportunities for students from Timor-Leste.
The Vice-Rector for International Affairs emphasised that Lviv Polytechnic has experience in working with international students. In particular, students from the United States, China, Egypt, Morocco, Ecuador, Turkey and Azerbaijan are already studying here, which demonstrates the university’s openness to cooperation with other countries and the expansion of its student geography. In order to effectively integrate international students into the university environment, there is a 9-month preparatory course in Ukrainian and English. The university offers various levels of education: bachelor’s, master’s and PhD.
The meeting was constructive, allowing the parties to exchange their views and interests. The main outcome was the establishment of personal contact and a preliminary agreement to explore possible areas of cooperation, which may include:
- educational programmes that meet the needs of Timor-Leste (engineering, IT, chemical technologies, technical specialities, etc.);
- joint educational and research projects;
- exchange programmes for teachers and students.
Lviv Polytechnic National University continues to expand its presence on the international arena, proving that educational diplomacy is a powerful tool for building bridges between different countries and cultures.
