On 17 October, Uzhhorod University was visited by the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye to Ukraine, Fatma Ceren Yazgan. First, the Ambassador met with the university administration, familiarised herself with its educational opportunities and discussed prospects for further cooperation. Also, as part of the visit, she spoke with students and lecturers in the Academic Council hall.
Acting Vice-Rector for Research and Pedagogical Work, Professor Myroslava Lendel noted that during the meeting with the leadership of Uzhhorod University, the possibility of cooperation in the areas of professional retraining of veterans of the Russian-Ukrainian war, education of Turkish citizens, and the development or adaptation of joint educational programmes was discussed.
“Türkiye is a powerful and very important state for Ukraine; our country is linked to it by the Black Sea. For our students, in particular foreign students and future political scientists, a meeting with a diplomat of this level is a rare opportunity to learn about international relations first-hand,” noted Myroslava Oleksandrivna.
Then the guest herself, Fatma Ceren Yazgan, took the floor. She told the students about her path in diplomacy, in particular that she first came to work in Ukraine in 2002. She also emphasised her country's position: “Statehood, independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine correspond to Türkiye's interests. This September, our President again stated from the rostrum of the UN General Assembly that we will help Ukraine preserve them. Ukraine has changed, and there is no going back. This is not only about the path to Europe, but about the formation of a nation and a state.”The Ambassador explained that international relations are primarily based on an understanding of how states define and protect their interests, and that diplomacy is long-term systemic work, not the affair of one person. Therefore, she advised students to read as much as possible, to discuss and to learn from their lecturers, since it is they who will become the foundation of their future careers.
The Faculty of International Economic Relations has invited such guests more than once in order to broaden students' horizons and introduce them to real practitioners. The Dean of the Faculty, Professor Mykola Palinchak, spoke about why such meetings are important for students: “The Dean's Office of the Faculty of International Economic Relations is interested in organising meetings with diplomats from foreign countries and Ukraine! This is excellent motivation for ambitious students! We are grateful to our graduate, Deputy of the Zakarpattia Regional Council Roland Tseber for his help in organising this meeting!”
During the Ambassador's address to the students, answers were given about Ankara's position on the war in Ukraine and integration into the EU. In particular, it was interesting to hear the reflections of an experienced diplomat on the specifics of women's careers in this field. Finally, a lively discussion took place: students asked the Ambassador questions. Fatma Ceren Yazgan answered each of them. She advised young people to develop communication, empathy, digital skills and resilience, and never to give up.
Valeriia Melnyk,
Information and Publishing Centre.
