UzhNU initiates cooperation with Munster University of Technology in Ireland
From 8 to 11 July, a delegation from Uzhhorod National University, consisting of Rector Volodymyr Smolanka, Vice-Rector for Scientific Work Ivan Myronyuk, and Deputy Director of the Department of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Zakarpattia Regional State Administration Mykhailo Haidura, paid an official visit to Tralee (Ireland). The purpose of the business visit was to establish cooperation and partnership relations between UzhNU and Munster University of Technology.
The university has about 18,000 students. Its history began in 1807, and during its existence, the university has gained recognition both in the field of higher education in Ireland and among international students. It has been nominated three times for the ‘Technological Institute of the Year’ award by the Sunday Times and is a member of the INGENIUM Alliance of European Universities.
‘Munster Technological University, where our delegation worked to achieve a specific result, is one of the most powerful technological universities in Ireland,’ emphasised UzhNU Rector Volodymyr Smolanka. Together with its management, we have developed a number of specific proposals for establishing cooperation in the field of academic mobility of students and lecturers, introducing joint interdisciplinary educational programmes, and exploring prospects for scientific cooperation. In the near future, we are looking forward to the arrival of our Irish colleagues in Uzhhorod to sign a Memorandum of Cooperation defining specific areas of activity."
The Ukrainian delegation had the opportunity to meet and discuss important issues with Dr. Michael Hall (External Relations Department, Munster University of Technology; coordinator of the INGENIUM Alliance of European Universities partnership), Tim Daly (Vice President for Cooperation and International Relations at Munster University of Technology), Professor Joseph Walsh (Head of the School of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics STEM), Jim Finucan (Fine Gael councillor on Tralee Borough Council), Maikey Shigi (former mayor and councillor of Tralee Borough Council), Dr Sarah Morrissey-Tucker (senior research fellow at the IMaR Research Centre, MTU).
"This is the first Irish university with which UzhNU has established cooperation. The working visit was preceded by a year of preparatory work by both parties. During the meetings, we learned about the life of the Munster University of Technology – its areas of scientific research, educational activities, and promising specialties. I am pleased that we have many overlapping educational programmes, which will allow us to develop future cooperation. I can note that, as a result of our negotiations, there was a high level of interest in our university," said Ivan Myronyuk, Vice-Rector for Scientific Work at UzhNU.
It is important that the working visit to Ireland should bear fruit not only in the form of cooperation between educational institutions, but also between the communities of the cities, the Zakarpattia region and County Kerry.
Mykhailo Haidur, Deputy Director of the Department of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Transcarpathian Regional State Administration, noted: "During these busy days, we discussed issues of cooperation between the national nature parks of Ireland and the Transcarpathian region, exchanged experience between the Department of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Transcarpathian Regional State Administration , the regional military administration and nature conservation agencies of County Kerry and Tralee (Ireland), as well as on the preparation of joint projects in the field of ecology."
