On 23 May 2023, the National University "Odesa Law Academy" was visited by a Slovenian diplomat, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Slovenia to Ukraine, Mr Tomaž Mencin, together with his wife, Mrs Daria Zorko Mencin, as well as Doctor of Science, Professor of Cultural Studies, Head of the Centre for Research on Religion and Culture, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ljubljana (Slovenia), Mr Mitja Velikonja.
The international delegation met with the President of the National University "Odesa Law Academy", Academician Sergiy Kivalov.
"I would like to note that we have been effectively cooperating with the University of Ljubljana for many years. During the working meeting, we discussed a number of issues related to strengthening the partnership - joint scientific activities, implementation of research projects, involvement of guest lecturers, student exchange programmes and faculty internships," said Sergiy Kivalov.
As part of the working visit, a presentation of Mitja Velikonja's book "Images of Dissent: Political Graffiti and Street Art of the Post-Socialist Transition" was held, which was published in Ukrainian. In the book, the scholar discusses the importance of graffiti and street art as a specific medium in the context of socio-political transformations in the post-socialist Balkans and Central Europe.
"It is a special opportunity for us to visit the National University "Odesa Law Academy" to present a book in Ukrainian by our famous professor of sociology and cultural studies. This is a small contribution from our side to the development of relations between Slovenia and Ukraine and Slovenia's support in all areas.
I am aware that the two law schools have already signed a cooperation agreement and we will again contribute to strengthening the partnership in terms of student exchange, faculty internships and joint research activities," commented the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Slovenia to Ukraine, Mr Tomaž Mencin.
Students of the National University "Odesa Law Academy" took an active part in the discussion of the publication and had the opportunity to communicate with representatives of the international delegation.
"Of course, if I am invited or offered a translation job, I will be happy to visit the university again. This is how I try to support you in this difficult situation. I believe that it is in my power as a professor, a scientist, not even being here, but also working with students who will come to our university in Slovenia. Perhaps this first meeting at this level will unite the two universities not only on paper, but also through the exchange of students and scholars," said Mitja Velikonja, Doctor of Science, Professor of Cultural Studies.
Thus, the National University "Odesa Law Academy" has once again confirmed its status as a leading higher education institution that provides ample opportunities to obtain a prestigious European-level education and is focused on the development of international cooperation.
