VMU signs Memorandum of Understanding with Mariupol University

During the meeting of VMU Rector’s Council on May 4, the Rector of Vytautas Magnus University Prof. Juozas Augutis signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Rector of Mariupol State University (MSU) (Ukraine) Prof. Mykola Trofymenko. With this memorandum, universities undertake to carry out joint study programs, including double degree programs, to develop international projects, to share scientific material and good academic practice, and to conduct bilateral exchanges between academic staff and students.

MSU Rector Prof. M. Trofymenko, who participated in the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding with VMU remotely from Kyiv, thanked the rector of VMU and the university community for their willingness to cooperate with this Ukrainian higher education institution. “I am very happy that today we will officially give meaning to our cooperation. I believe this will be a great start to something new. You are well aware of what is currently happening in our country and city. After weeks of hellish siege of Mariupol, our colleagues and students finally have the opportunity to evacuate the city that has been completely destroyed. Our university is currently located in Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine. We are grateful that you have agreed to cooperate, build new connections and participate in projects in the future. You were the first to contact the representatives of our higher education institution as soon as the war started, taking care of how your colleagues were doing here in Ukraine, with whom you worked on joint international projects,” the rector of Mariupol State University expressed gratitude to VMU.

Prof. M. Trofymenko stressed that this Memorandum of Understanding with VMU will contribute to the restoration of Mariupol State University in Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, where the university’s academic community is currently concentrated. “Here in Kyjiv, we will have to re-establish our university based on the best international examples, such as VMU, one of the best universities in Lithuania and Europe. I’ve been to Kaunas before. At your university, I was particularly impressed by the platforms and practices used for distance learning. I believe that this Memorandum of Understanding will be the start of many new and productive projects. Thank you for your help and support for Ukraine. I hope that this cooperation will contribute to our country’s victory in the war against Russia at the informational and educational level,” Prof. M. Trofymenko thanked.

MSU Vice-Rector Prof. Olena Pavlenko, who also remotely participated in the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding together with Rector Prof. M. Trofymenko, thanked VMU for the continued cooperation between VMU and MSU, which started back in 2017, and the attention our university has paid to their university during this difficult time.

MSU is a valued partner of the VMU Faculty of Political Science and Diplomacy, with which the faculty carried out the European project Rethinking Regional Studies: the Baltic-Black Sea Connection. “Working together with Mariupol State University has created great scientific potential for further cooperation. When the war in Ukraine broke out, I was very worried about my colleagues in Mariupol. Although military operations are taking place in Ukraine, and especially in their city, which have paralyzed the normal life of Mariupol residents, they were surprisingly quick to show their strength and dedication to work and have resumed university activities remotely from Kyiv since April 18. These are the patriots of their city, country, and university, with whom it is a great honor to work,” said Aistė Žemaitytė, the Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Political Science and Diplomacy.

During the signing the document, VMU Rector Prof. J. Augutis also expressed his support for Ukraine, which is fighting against the Russian occupiers and defending the sovereignty of the whole of Europe. “It is a great honor for me to sign such a document. I think this is a great start to the collaboration between our universities. We have many plans for the future. Be brave and good luck,” the VMU Rector wished his colleagues in Ukraine.