University of Girona: 10 years of international partnership
In early June 2025, the delegation of the DSAEU, led by the rector Dr, Anatoliy KOBETS, and consisting of Dr, Yurii TKALICH, Vice-rector for research and innovations, Dr, Andrii PUHACH, Dean of the Engineering and Technology Faculty, Oleksii DERKACH, Head of Machine and Tractors Operation Department, and Iryna VOLOVYK, Chief of International Affairs and Public Communication Office, took part in the Erasmus+ Staff Week. The event was held at the University of Girona for the first time in its history. It was marked by many important events: presentations of universities from 16 countries of the world, educational workshops, and interactive meetings in project groups, cultural events, and diving into the incredible historical culture, traditions, and language of Catalonia.
During the meeting with Dr. Quim SALVI, Rector of the University of Girona, Dr. Anatoliy KOBETS noted that the partnership between the universities, which began in 2006 with scientific cooperation between professors Mykola KHARITONOVY and Giovanni PARDINI, has turned into several outstanding scientific and academic projects that have been implemented within the framework of Erasmus+ for 10 years.
Iryna VOLOVYK noted that since 2015, 11 students of the DSAEU have implemented academic mobility on the basis of the Polytechnic Institute of the University of Girona in the areas of "Agronomy", "Ecology", "Food Technologies", "Aquatic Bioresources and Aquaculture";
- 3 master's theses and 1 PhD thesis have been defended at the Department of Chemical, Agricultural and Food Engineering of the University of Girona (UdG);
- exchange of teachers was carried out in 2015, 2018, 2021, and 2025 within the framework of academic mobility for the purpose of internships, the results of which were prepared as scientific publications;
- Dr. Maria Assumpta Gispert NEGRELL, professor of the University of Girona, was awarded the title of Honorary Professor of the DSAEU for her contribution to the study of soil as a living ecosystem in 2021.
Thus, at least 17 students and teachers of the DSAEU are direct participants in educational, scientific and cultural public diplomacy from the Ukrainian side. All students who underwent mobility chose and studied the Catalan language at level A1-A2 for 1 semester. Some of them continued to do so after the completion of the mobility program.
Yuriy TKALICH, during meetings with colleagues from European universities, emphasized the possibilities of developing scientific projects taking into account Ukraine's experience in adapting agriculture, implementing socio-economic projects and assessing the consequences of ecosystem disruption under martial law. Andriy PUGACH confirmed that further cooperation with the Polytechnic Institute of the University of Girona is one of the strategic priorities of the Faculty of Engineering and Technology, since most of the mobility of applicants was implemented in the direction of "Agroengineering" and "Food Technologies".
Particularly interesting was the meeting with Olga GOLOVCHENKO, a postgraduate student of the ONP "Agroengineering", who successfully completed scientific internships in Girona, defended her master's degree, and is currently expanding the horizons of cooperation in the direction of research into polymer composites. Olga's scientific supervisor, Oleksiy DERKACH, held a productive meeting with Drs. Tarres FARRES and Joaquim AGUSTI at the Department of Sustainable Industrial Processes at the University of Girona. The department's research areas are focused on innovations in the field of sustainable materials and product development. The main scientific direction of the laboratory is the production of new polymer composites based on polyamides, polyethylenes, polystyrenes and other natural polymers reinforced with natural fibers. Cotton, banana peels, pine cones, and other products from natural waste are used to obtain natural fibers. (Photo from the laboratory)
It is worth noting that from the next academic year, it is planned to expand cooperation in other areas of academic programs, because the University of Girona has 9 faculties and professional colleges: Polytechnic Institute, Faculty of Sciences, Faculty of Economics and Business, Law, Education and Psychology, Faculty of Medicine and School of Nursing, Faculty of Arts and Tourism.
The participants of the DSAEU delegation express special gratitude to Professors Giovanni PARDINI and Maria GESPERT for their many years of support for our applicants and teachers, initiative in developing scientific cooperation and open, sincere support for Ukraine in our struggle for its state. (PHOTO)
Prepared by Iryna VOLOVYK
