On February 26, 2025, Khmelnytskyi National University received a working visit from Mateusz Natkowski, Consul General of the Republic of Poland in Vinnytsia, and Tomasz Kowal, Vice-Consul. The distinguished delegation was welcomed by Kateryna Skyba, Vice-Rector for scientific and pedagogical work at KhNU; Nelia Podlevska, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Pedagogy; and Nataliia Torchynska, Head of the Department of Slavic Philology.
During the meeting, discussions focused on international cooperation in science and education between Khmelnytskyi National University and the Consulate General, as well as between higher education institutions in Ukraine and Poland. Prospects for future collaboration were also outlined.
Kateryna Skyba emphasised the importance of maintaining sustainable cooperation between Ukrainian and Polish universities. She spoke about international academic exchange programs, opportunities for collaboration within Erasmus+ projects, and the critical need to expand cooperation and find ways to overcome challenges amidst the full-scale war with Russia. She also highlighted the importance of experience exchange to facilitate the reform of the Ukrainian higher education system on its path to EU integration. Additionally, Kateryna Skyba shared successful practices and mechanisms of support that Khmelnytskyi National University receives from its European partners.
Nelia Podlevska, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Pedagogy, discussed Ukrainian-Polish scientific and educational cooperation, the implementation of international projects at the Department of Slavic Philology, the educational-methodological and scientific activities of faculty and students, annual international language (translation, methodological, pedagogical) internships for philology students in Poland, conducted international Ukrainian-Polish scientific conferences, faculty professional development at Polish higher education institutions, the department’s achievements in developing Polish studies at Ukrainian and international levels, and the role of the Ukrainian-Polish Center for European Integration at KhNU as a laboratory for Polish language instruction, among other topics.
At the Ukrainian-Polish Center for European Integration at Khmelnytskyi National University, Consul General of the Republic of Poland Mateusz Natkowski and Vice-Consul Tomasz Kowal met with academic staff from the Department of Slavic Philology (headed by Nataliia Torchynska). This department trains future Polish studies specialists through Bachelor's degree programs such as "Philology. Polish Language and Literature, Second Language – English, Translation" and "Secondary Education (Polish Language and Foreign Literature. Ukrainian Language and Literature)," as well as a Master's degree program "Philology. Slavic Languages and Literatures (including translation), First – Polish." During the discussion, they addressed issues of professional training for future Polish language translators and teachers, international academic mobility programs, including double degree programs, and outlined directions for future cooperation between the department, faculty, and university with the Consulate General of the Republic of Poland. Participating in the discussion of cooperation prospects and current issues in the development of Polish studies at Khmelnytskyi National University were: Kateryna Skyba, Vice-Rector for scientific and pedagogical work; Mykola Yokhna, Director of the Ukrainian-Polish Centre for European Integration; Nelia Podlevska, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Pedagogy; and lecturers from the Department of Slavic Philology.
Consul General Mateusz Natkowski thanked Kateryna Skyba, Vice-Rector for Research and Academic Affairs; Nelia Podlevska, Dean; Mykola Yokhna, Director of the Ukrainian-Polish Centre for European Integration; and the faculty of the Department of Slavic Philology at Khmelnytskyi National University for their significant efforts in developing Ukrainian-Polish cooperation. He emphasised that the department’s achievements are known not only in Ukraine but also in Poland. He noted the substantial contribution of the Department of Slavic Philology to the development of Polish studies in Podillia. The distinguished guests expressed gratitude to the university administration and personally to Rector Serhii Matiukh for supporting Ukrainian-Polish cooperation, strengthening ties in education and science between Ukraine and Poland, and creating favourable conditions for the development of Polish studies at the university.