His Excellency Christophe Léonzi, Ambassador of the French Republic to Slovakia, met on July 2, 2021 on the premises of the Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice with the Rector of UPJŠ, prof. RNDr. Pavol Sovák, CSc., Vice-Rector for International Relations and Mobility, doc. Ing. Silvia Ručinská, PhD., Vice-Rector for Higher Education, Academic Traditions and Ceremonies, prof. PaedDr. Martin Pekár, PhD., Vice-Rector for Informatisation and Quality Management, prof. RNDr. Gabriel Semanišin, PhD., And Vice-Dean for International Relations of the Faculty of Arts, UPJŠ, prof. Mgr. Renáta Panocová, PhD. The meeting was also attended by Jean-Marc Cassam-Chenaï, Counselor for Cooperation and Cultural Activities of the French Embassy and Director of the French Institute in Slovakia, Yan Pautrat, Attaché for Scientific and University Cooperation, Thibaut Triqueneaux, Attaché for Language Cooperation and Education, David Morteux, Honorary Consul of France in Košice and Mr Ján Mati, President of the French Alliance in Košice.
A significant part of the meeting concerned the amendment to the Higher Education Act. The Rector of UPJŠ clarified the attitude of the university to the proposed changes and emphasized the importance of academic freedom and autonomy of universities. He expressed that the reforms in higher education in Slovakia, which will lead to an increase in the quality of education and research, are welcome. UPJŠ itself is the bearer of such changes and reforms in that it strives for close cooperation between the three universities in Košice with a view to their possible integration.
“The topics of conversation with His Excellency, Ambassador Léonzi, and other representatives of the Embassy of the French Republic, were very mutually enriching. France and Slovakia draw on long-term cooperation that benefits the academic environment, as proven by the interest of French students in studying at our university or the cooperation of our researchers with their French colleagues. The delegation’s interest in current events in the education sector showed us that the support of independent higher education and the introduction of modern trends should be a priority and an irreplaceable part of key decisions of every government cabinet, “said UPJŠ Rector, prof. Pavol Sovák.
Ambassador Léonzi supported UPJŠ in its intentions and proposed by the embassy the organization of a professional seminar, which would deal with the topic of merging universities on the basis of good examples from France. The Ambassador also expressed appreciation for the event “Constitutional Days”, organized by the Faculty of Law of UPJŠ in cooperation with the Constitutional Court of the Slovak Republic, praised UPJŠ’s cooperation with French universities and suggested new opportunities for cooperation especially in areas that result from the focus of the Technology and Innovation Park UPJŠ (TIP UPJŠ). Rector’s discussion with the Ambassador also emphasized the intention to create the Košice New Industry Cluster (CNIC), which should change the character of the Košice region.
