\u00a0\u00a0 His Excellency Christophe L\u00e9onzi, Ambassador of the French Republic to Slovakia, met on July 2, 2021 on the premises of the Pavol Jozef \u0160af\u00e1rik University in Ko\u0161ice with the Rector of UPJ\u0160, prof. RNDr. Pavol Sov\u00e1k, CSc., Vice-Rector for International Relations and Mobility, doc. Ing. Silvia Ru\u010dinsk\u00e1, PhD., Vice-Rector for Higher Education, Academic Traditions and Ceremonies, prof. PaedDr. Martin Pek\u00e1r, PhD., Vice-Rector for Informatisation and Quality Management, prof. RNDr. Gabriel Semani\u0161in, PhD., And Vice-Dean for International Relations of the Faculty of Arts, UPJ\u0160, prof. Mgr. Ren\u00e1ta Panocov\u00e1, PhD. The meeting was also attended by Jean-Marc Cassam-Chena\u00ef, Counselor for Cooperation and Cultural Activities of the French Embassy and Director of the French Institute in Slovakia, Yan Pautrat, Attach\u00e9 for Scientific and University Cooperation, Thibaut Triqueneaux, Attach\u00e9 for Language Cooperation and Education, David Morteux, Honorary Consul of France in Ko\u0161ice and Mr J\u00e1n Mati, President of the French Alliance in Ko\u0161ice.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 A significant part of the meeting concerned the amendment to the Higher Education Act. The Rector of UPJ\u0160 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. UPJ\u0160 itself is the bearer of such changes and reforms in that it strives for close cooperation between the three universities in Ko\u0161ice with a view to their possible integration.<\/p>\n
“The topics of conversation with His Excellency, Ambassador L\u00e9onzi, 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 UPJ\u0160 Rector, prof. Pavol Sov\u00e1k.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Ambassador L\u00e9onzi supported UPJ\u0160 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 UPJ\u0160 in cooperation with the Constitutional Court of the Slovak Republic, praised UPJ\u0160’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 UPJ\u0160 (TIP UPJ\u0160). Rector’s discussion with the Ambassador also emphasized the intention to create the Ko\u0161ice New Industry Cluster (CNIC), which should change the character of the Ko\u0161ice region.<\/p>\n
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