Since the first days of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Center of Innovative Educational Technologies “PNU EcoSystem” has received a significant number of letters from foreign partners. First of all, it is the support of our colleagues from the partner universities of the MoPED project, who showed not only psychological support to teachers and students of the university, but also our army in the fight against the aggressor: Olga Dziabenko (University of Deusto, Bilbao, Spain) and Marios Papaevripidou, (University of Cyprus Nicosia, Republic of Cyprus).
Such support from scientists from all over the world testifies to the cohesion and consolidation of the world academic community, awareness of the threat from which the Armed Forces of Ukraine are defending our Motherland and international community today.
We feel significant assistance from our Polish and Lithuanian partners. Colleagues from the Institute of Pedagogy of the Jagiellonian University (Krakow, Poland) are deeply concerned about the humanitarian disaster in Ukraine. On this occasion, teachers and students express words of sympathy and optimism. “In Poland, we have a huge mobilization and solidarity of society to help, and it also makes the heart grow in hope,” said. Prof. Anna Sajdak-Burska, Head of Doctoral Studies and Head of the Doctoral Level Program in Pedagogy at Jagiellonian University.
A cooperation agreement has been signed with the SCHOLAR Center for Innovative Education (Lublin, Republic of Poland) on the exchange of best educational practices and teacher training. The director of the Center prof. Piotr Mazur also condemned Russia’s political decision to ignore Ukraine’s sovereignty, as violence should not be a tool in the 21st century. He is convinced that this aggression must stop quickly, Ukraine must be free to choose its own political path, and humanity and justice will prevail.
Jorūnė Vyšniauskytė-Rimkienė (Vytautas Magnus University, Social Work department, Kaunas): «We here in Lithuania every day are very much involved in all the events that going on in Ukraine. But today for sure we all are shocked … Іt is hard not to think about you your colleagues and the whole of your nation. With this letter I would like to ask how you and your people are doing and to ask maybe you need some concrete help? Here in Lithuania, everyone tries to help in their own ways – praying for you, gathering money, military means, and so on. Lithuanians are also encouraged to influence Russian people…Praying for all you and wishing Peace in your heart and your Homeland Ukraine. Slava Ukraine!»
Among supporters we would like to mention professor Ron Roach from the East Tennessee State University (Johnson City, USA). Joint cooperation began in 2014. Ron Roach, a professor at the university, said: “We have a close partnership with some professors at Precarpathian National University, as we are interested in the program that specializes in mountain education, including the sustainable development of rural schools in the mountain region. After eight days of war in Ukraine, associate professor Tetyana Blyznyuk and her students decided to share a video appeal to the international community to convey true information. I thank them for that.”
The two universities have strong ties in studying mountain cultures, education and the arts of the Ukrainian Carpathians and the Appalachia. Our cooperation is expanding in the Center of Innovative Educational Technologies “PNU EcoSystem”, as both parties are interested in working out joint projects to develop and promote educational innovations.
We are sincerely grateful to our friends for their support and partnership, and we hope to meet teachers and students under peaceful skies in Ukraine.